Malbec, the Pride of Argentina

Jeff Roberts 4/25/2021

malbec

Malbec is a deep dark purple colored grape that originated in the southwest of France and is one of 5 varietals used in Bordeaux blends.As a varietal, Malbec has generally not done well growing in French climate and has been susceptible to rot and pests.  In France, 100% Malbec is only made in Cahors.

Malbec was brought to Argentina in 1853 by French soil expert Michel Aimé Pouget after Argentinian President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento asked for new vines to be brought to Argentina to transform Argentina’s wine industry

World Malbec Day (which began in 2010) is celebrated on April 17 because on that day in 1853 a bill was submitted to the Provincial Legislature in Argentina for the foundation of a Quinta Normal and a School of Agriculture which was the foundation for the expansion of Malbec in Argentina and helped contribute to Argentina’s dominance in the production of Malbec.

Malbec is considered the national grape of Argentina but it is also grown in France, the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Chile.  The climate and altitude in Argentina allow Malbec to thrive and the winemakers of Argentina are combining the knowledge of the Old World with the innovation of the New World to make amazing wines.

Malbec goes great with food and has an amazing price to quality ratio.  Malbec traditionally has medium acidity and tannins and rich bold flavors with some spice.  It’s a velvety texture, good mouth feel and value make it a popular varietal with consumers.

Below are some Malbecs I recommend you try for World Malbec Day, or any day!

amalya

Amalaya  Malbec Salta 2016 $13.99  A wine with nice concentrated red fruit flavors and hints of spice, easy to drink alone or pair with food

hess

Hess Select Malbec Mendoza 2015 $19.99 A smooth wine that is fruit forward with flavors of rasberry and cherry and hints of nutmeg and allspice. This wine  is sutainably farmed

colome

Colome Malbec Salta 2013 $26.99 A fruity yet earthy wine with some black pepper notes.  Fresh and well balanced with  great aroma and nice complexity

achaval

Achaval Ferrer Malbec Mendoza 2015 $28.99 This is a classic Malbec, elegant yet bright with blackberry raspberry and black licorice flavors and nice density and texture

 ordaz

Ordaz Family Wines Malbec SonomaValley 2012 $25.00 This wine has flavors of plum black cherry and mocha.  The wine is elegant yet light and is an excellent example of  how where a grape is grown ie terroir impacts its flavor.  It also shows that you can find excellent Malbec grown and made outside of Argentina

Happy World Malbec Day and as they say in Argentina, Salud y amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo!  To health and love and time to enjoy them.

Thank you to Hess Collection, Achaval Ferrer & Ordaz Family Wines for providing me samples of these delicious Malbecs.  Think it’s time to start planning a trip to Argentina!

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