Malbec

Malbec From Cahors, France

France is malbec’s ancestal home. They still make great wines. Most malbecs are made in Cahors, France. It’s a tiny town with a gorgeous bridge. Cahors is a small town that lies east of Bordeaux. Malbec was used as a blending grape in Bordeaux wines, but most no longer use it. French malbec tastes quite different than that of Argentina. It is savory, tart with plum and blackberry fruit. Also, it is leaner than that of Argentina and more food friendly. What’s funny is that malbec translates to bad mouth. It used to be a slang term, but it was so popular that it became a common surname.

Malbec from Argentina

Most malbecs from Argentina are made in the Mendoza region, but it is grown everywhere in the country. There are many reasons why there are so many good wines coming from South America. One is the beautiful Andes mountain range which separates Chile from Argentina. Producers use the higher elevations to make better wines. The closer the grapes are to the sun, the better they are. Argentinian malbecs have aromas and tastes of wines that include blackberry, cherry, plums, and chocolate. They are more full-bodied than French versions.

Pairings

In general, malbec pairs well with red meats, turkey or roasted pork. Also, it works well creamy sauces and melted cheese.  However, Argentinians drink it at a barbecue called an asado. An asado consists of beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, and morcilla (Spanish sausage) which are cooked on a grill. It is called a parrilla or an open fire. Generally the meats are accompanied by salads.

Examples Of Malbecs

Here are a couple examples of malbec. One is from France and the other is from Argentina. They are just examples. You can buy any producer (min. $10). It’s a reasonable wine, but there are more expensive examples too.

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