Malbec Wine: An Extraordinary Journey Across Continents
Malbec is a grape variety native to France, with a strong association with the Cahors region in the southwest. However, it found its true home in Argentina. In the mid-19th century, the grape was brought from Bordeaux to Argentina, where it is now the leading grape for fine red wines.
In France, Malbec is one of the five main red grapes used for blending red Bordeaux wines, but its plantings have been declining due to its susceptibility to frost. Today, due to the reduced plantings of Malbec in Bordeaux, it generally makes up less than 10% of any Bordeaux wine, if it's used at all.
However, in Argentina, Malbec has truly shone. The dry, sunny, and extremely high-altitude vineyards here provide an ideal growing environment for Malbec. Unlike in Bordeaux, Malbec in Argentina is almost always produced as a single varietal wine.
Malbec wines are prized for their soft, mouthfilling texture, deep inky color, and plummy, mocha, and earthy aromas and flavors. They tend to be low in acidity and slightly less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon.
In 1853, Argentina's President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento initiated a plan to reform the country's wine industry. French soil specialist Michel Aime Pouget imported various French grapevine cuttings, including the Malbec grape, which would later become a symbol of Argentina's wine culture. The founding of the first agronomy school on April 17, 1853, marked the official beginning of a transformative period for Argentine wine.
Over time, Malbec gained prominence in Argentina's wine industry and became an integral part of the nation's identity. Today, more than 75% of the world's Malbec grapes are cultivated in Argentina, solidifying the country's position as a global wine producer.
To commemorate Malbec's remarkable journey and its role in shaping the Argentine wine landscape, Wines of Argentina designated April 17 as "Malbec World Day." This day not only pays tribute to the grape variety but also celebrates Argentina's winemaking prowess and the unyielding spirit that witnessed Malbec's rise from obscurity to international acclaim.
