Origin
Like many of the world’s great wine grapes, Malbec comes originally from France. A nasty frost in 1956 obliterated many of the Malbec vines in Bordeaux (this Colorado gardener can relate to that pain)!! Following the freeze, many of the plantings were replaced with Cab and Merlot. After that, the grape spent many years trapped in backup singer mode in most French winemaking, being used mostly as a blending agent to provide deep color, dark fruit characteristics, spicy notes, and the wine-world’s own anti-aging weapon: acid. The exception is Cahors in the western part of Southern France. Here, the wines are mandated to be made of at least 70% Malbec. Did you know that many aspects of winemaking in France are regulated by law? They destem as a requirement to help minimize tannin in the already-rustic wines.
To the benefit of the wine-loving world, Malbec cuttings hitched a ride on a boat to Argentina from France before the phylloxera (little bugs that love to much on roots and leaves of grape vines) epidemic decimated nearly all of Europe’s vineyards in the late 19th century. In the mountain vineyards of Mendoza, the variety found center stage at last — flourishing for over 100 years! Today the world drinks most of its Malbec out of Argentina, and the variety is synonymous with the gaucho culture.
To the benefit of the wine-loving world, Malbec cuttings hitched a ride on a boat to Argentina from France before the phylloxera (little bugs that love to much on roots and leaves of grape vines) epidemic decimated nearly all of Europe’s vineyards in the late 19th century. In the mountain vineyards of Mendoza, the variety found center stage at last — flourishing for over 100 years! Today the world drinks most of its Malbec out of Argentina, and the variety is synonymous with the gaucho culture.
FLAVORS
DARK PLUM
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BLACKBERRY
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BLACK CHERRY
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COCOA
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BAKING SPICE
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Viticulture + Winemaking
Grown in alluvial (rocky/sediment-rich) soils along the base of the towering Andes mountains, the vines are irrigated by snowmelt. These are the highest altitude vineyards on earth (can Planet Earth please make a vineyard series?!). My mountain girl heart loves to think about these not-quite mile high grapes braving the odds down there! The high altitude means the grapes need to be tough, so they develop thicker skins with heightened levels of the cancer-fighting antioxidant quercetin.
Like most things that thrive in the mountains, Malbec is a rugged vine with plenty of fight. It is vigorous and adapts well to different soil types. It can struggle with a poor fruit set (when flowers become grapes and the potential berry size is established) in cool, wet climates like Bordeaux. Yet again, we’re so stoked that it found its way to Argentina’s hot, dry climate! While most Argentina Malbec is still aged in oak, there are some really cool modern producers offering un-oaked versions. These are worth trying to give you a clear impression of the ‘naked’ style of the fruit. Try Areyna Malbec, which is aged in concrete tank.
Like most things that thrive in the mountains, Malbec is a rugged vine with plenty of fight. It is vigorous and adapts well to different soil types. It can struggle with a poor fruit set (when flowers become grapes and the potential berry size is established) in cool, wet climates like Bordeaux. Yet again, we’re so stoked that it found its way to Argentina’s hot, dry climate! While most Argentina Malbec is still aged in oak, there are some really cool modern producers offering un-oaked versions. These are worth trying to give you a clear impression of the ‘naked’ style of the fruit. Try Areyna Malbec, which is aged in concrete tank.
Malbec in Argentina
The 90s were a time for overdoing just about everything. From hairstyles to the size of sweatpants, everything was a little bigger; and Malbec from Argentina was no different. The wines tended to have high alcohol levels and massive doses of new oak. Thankfully, the pendulum swung back toward balance and today winemakers are producing balanced wines with a lot less new oak and a lot more attention to detail and natural fruit expression.
Did you know?
• Since 2000 Malbec plantings in Argentina have increased over 250%
• Malbec constitutes about 20% of the country’s total vineyard area, and over 35% of Mendoza’s vineyard area.
• 30% of Argentina’s overall vineyards are over 40 years old, with many caches of old-vine Malbec in Mendoza grown from cuttings brought over from France before phylloxera struck Europe in the late 1800s.
• There has been considerable foreign investment in Mendoza, leading to rapid modernization and tireless viticultural research.
• The last two decades have seen Argentine Malbec grow to account for about 60% of Argentina’s exported wine total.
• Malbec constitutes about 20% of the country’s total vineyard area, and over 35% of Mendoza’s vineyard area.
• 30% of Argentina’s overall vineyards are over 40 years old, with many caches of old-vine Malbec in Mendoza grown from cuttings brought over from France before phylloxera struck Europe in the late 1800s.
• There has been considerable foreign investment in Mendoza, leading to rapid modernization and tireless viticultural research.
• The last two decades have seen Argentine Malbec grow to account for about 60% of Argentina’s exported wine total.
Food + Wine
Malbec loves food! The dark fruit, spicy flavors, and solid acid structure make the wines ideal for richly flavored, grilled foods. This is surely another reason Argentina loves it so much! There, Asado is the holy grail of bbq and the centerpiece of many social gatherings. A nearly sacred, backyard ritual, Asado preparation is an all-day event in which quality meat is roasted on a parilla (grill) over a slow-burning wood fire for most of the day until emerging tender and rich with juices flowing. The smoky, intoxicating meat aromas fill the air. For me, are smells are closely associated with Malbec even if they are not present in the wine itself.
If your setup is more typical to the la vida gringo (read gas or charcoal grill over an open fire pit), then dense and weighty styles of Malbec are perfection with beef burgers, wild venison steaks, , pork with chili-based rubs, and all manner of steak. Try La Post Pizzella Malbec or Mendel Malbec.
If you’re forgoing the grill altogether, more outstanding pairings include: fajitas, mild lamb curry, chili con carne, dishes with red sauce and meatballs, duck confit, Moroccan lamb tagines, and beef stews.
If your setup is more typical to the la vida gringo (read gas or charcoal grill over an open fire pit), then dense and weighty styles of Malbec are perfection with beef burgers, wild venison steaks, , pork with chili-based rubs, and all manner of steak. Try La Post Pizzella Malbec or Mendel Malbec.
If you’re forgoing the grill altogether, more outstanding pairings include: fajitas, mild lamb curry, chili con carne, dishes with red sauce and meatballs, duck confit, Moroccan lamb tagines, and beef stews.
Patio Wine
Softer, more fruity styles of Malbec are amazing with charcuterie or as ‘cocktail wines’ on their own while the meal is being prepared and folks are grazing and conversing. Lighter styles can also be wonderful when food isn’t the main event, but you want something delicious to sip on the front porch reading a good book with blanket in lap. Try Bodini Malbec or Areyna Malbec.