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Malbec

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Name of varietal: Malbec

Common synonyms: Côt, Auxerrois, Pressac, Vesparo, Malbeck
 
Parentage of the grape: indigenous to France
 
History of the grape: Some believe Malbec is named after a Hungarian peasant who spread plantings along the French countryside (Janos Malbec-seed, perhaps?). But modern day oenologist Pierre Galet suggests that it was originally called “Côt” and Malbec may perhaps be a name given to it when it was grown in Burgundy. Regardless, the varietal was once one of the most popular grapes grown in France. However, it is very sensitive to frost and coulure (breaking apart), and after a particularly harsh winter in 1956, plantings of Malbec in France are now mostly limited to Southwest France, particularly in Cahors, and to the Medoc in Bordeaux, where it is a blending grape. 
 
Malbec has become the star red attraction in Argentina, where it is often produced in a lush, fruity style. Some parts of the country were resistant Read more »

En Tiempo Vineyards Malbec Monterey County
Winery: En Tiempo Vineyards
Region: USA » California » Monterey
Type: Table Wines

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Vegan Lasagne

What’s lasagne without ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan? To an Italian, it’s a travesty. But to a vegan or those with food allergies, it’s a delicious, healthy, one-pot pasta dish that is bound to... Read more »

Viu Manent Malbec Colchagua Valley Secreto
Winery: Viu Manent
Region: Chile » Colchagua Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Korean-Style Beef Tacos

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Pure Love Wines Malbec Layer Cake
Winery: Pure Love Wines
Color: Red Wines

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Southern Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

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Red Rock Winery Malbec California Reserve
Winery: Red Rock Winery
Region: USA » California
Type: Table Wines

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Spicy Chipotle Turkey Burgers

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Four Vines Malbec Blend Paso Robles Monarchy
Winery: Four Vines Winery
Region: USA » California » San Luis Obispo County » Paso Robles
Type: Table Wines

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Stuffed Hamburger with Herb Cheese-Be Done With the Bun!

GrillGrates on the grill gives the chef so many new options for the everyday hamburger. GrillGrates will take you to the next level of gourmet! The stuffed hamburger has endless possibilities. Here... Read more »

Viu Manent Malbec Colchagua Valley Reserva
Winery: Viu Manent
Region: Chile » Colchagua Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Thai Curry Turkey Burgers

Aromatic Thai curry paste mixed into the meat gives these turkey burgers a flavorful kick; look for it in the Asian section of most supermarkets. Read more »

Huarpe Malbec Cab
Winery: Bodegas Huarpe
Color: Red Wines

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Argentine-Style Burger

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Montes Malbec Colchagua Valley
Winery: Montes
Region: Chile » Colchagua Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Mediterranean Pita Pockets

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Red Rock Malbec
Winery: Red Rock Winery
Region: USA
Type: Table Wines

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Pasta with Beef and Pepper

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Sawbuck Malbec Yolo County
Winery: Sawbuck
Region: USA » California » Mendocino County
Type: Table Wines

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Jalapeno Popper Mega Burgers Recipe

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Malbec World Day!

In case you missed out on our most recent Virtual Tasting, we enjoyed a stellar lineup of Malbec-based wines with Nora Favelukes, the U.S. representative of the Wines of Argentina. Just in time for Malbec World Day, April 17th, take advantage of all th...

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An Interview with Achaval-Ferrer's Eclio Dumon

World Malbec Day, April 17th is considered to be the founding date of the modern Argentine wine industry. Celebrated around the world, though closely associated with Argentina, World Malbec Day is a celebration of all things Malbec, and we were very ha...

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Top 15 California Bordeaux Blend Wines Under $125

France may have established that the grapes of Bordeaux go very well together, but that essential blend can now be found in excellent wines worldwide, from South Africa to Washington State. California does particularly well with the black grapes of Bo...

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The Capitols of Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular and widely planted red grape varietals in the world. Part of its attraction is that it has a distinctive and very recognizable taste no matter where it is grown—which is perhaps why today we can find it in ...

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Napa Merlots

In 2004, the movie Sideways put a major dent in California Merlot sales when Miles uttered the immortal words “I am not drinking fucking Merlot!” At that point there were a lot of ripe, insipid Merlots on the market—many grown in areas that were too ho...

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The Problem with Wine Ratings

I’ve been thinking about writing up my thoughts on this issue for some time, but I had always thought it was just too simple an issue; something that might be summed up in a few sentences, but perhaps I was wrong.

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Malbec World Day!

In case you missed out on our most recent Virtual Tasting, we enjoyed a stellar lineup of Malbec-based wines with Nora Favelukes, the U.S. representative of the Wines of Argentina. Just in time for Malbec World Day, April 17th, take advantage of all th...

Read more »

Bonarda: The Other Argentine Wine

Talk long enough about Bonarda and you'll hear all the keywords of ill-repute. High yield. Simple. Jug. Bulk. Once Argentina's most widely planted variety (it recently lost the honor to Malbec), Bonarda has long been plied for fruity, anonymous juice -...

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Trending Wines

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What is Hot in 2011?

With January behind us, and everyone -- yours truly included -- making predictions about what’s hot and what’s not these days, it’s a good time to take a look and see what the data says. Here at Snooth we’re a data-driven company, constantly testing an...

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Bargains in Bordeaux

On a warm June day I was lost on the winding roads of Canon-Fronsac, an appellation on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. When I finally turn up more than an hour late at Château Moulin-Pey-Labrie, owner Grégoire Hubau makes a few witty digs about wine critics rar...

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The Art of Blending

At Larkmead Vineyards we have a Tasting Room. But as our venerable, resident raconteur and Winery General Manager likes to say, we don't normally give tours to visitors because we don't have antique cars or a fancy art collection, we h...

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Red Wines for Summer

Many of you here (such as myself) developed a taste for red wines long before your taste for whites – I still prefer the complexity of a red, even if it is 90 degrees outside. Here are a few wines I recommend that are low in acidity, making them smooth...

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What We've Been Reading - December 5

Bacchus and Beery Wine Blog: First up, don’t be confused by the name -- we’re still all about wine and not talking beer here. “Beery” is the last name of this blogging family, who honor the Roman god of wine with their take on “tasting, enjoying, disco...

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The Importance of Lists

As you may know from my last email, we’ve made making lists a priority here at Snooth. If you take a moment to think about it, those of us in the world of wine are surrounded by lists. A great example is a staple of these trade updates: our Snooth’s mo...

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Terlato Family Vineyards

Terlato Family Vineyards: Four Generations of Quality - The Terlato Family Vineyards selection of wines is produced by Anthony Terlato and his sons, Bill and John. It’s a collection made throughout the top regions of California - Stags Leap, Rutherford...

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Luigi Bosca MALB.D.O.C1.5 (2008)

Winery: Luigi Bosca
Region: Argentina » Mendoza
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

Begins with a distinctive smell of freshly stained wood, then enters the mouth somewhat brusquely. But wait for the finish – several layers of flavor emerge, ranging from red cherry to blueberry jam. (AV 90, http://argovino.com/?p=527)

Nicolas Catena Zapata (2007)

Winery: Catena
Region: Argentina » Mendoza
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon , Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

The profound violet color screams “mostly cabernet sauvignon,” but somehow this blends manages to taste lighter and more of malbec. There is plenty of structure bearing a variety of red berry flavors tinged with ginger; one just feels it could be deepe...

Cruz Andina Malbec (2009)

Winery: Veramonte
Region: Argentina » Mendoza » Lujan de Cuyo
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

What happens when a bunch of Chileans come over the Andes to Argentina to make wine? Actually, they do a darned good job. Behind a splendidly funky bouquet of eggplant and mushroom, there’s an earthy flavor punctuated by an acidic note of red currant. ...

Viña Alicia Malbec Brote Negro (2007)

Winery: Vina Alicia
Region: Argentina » Mendoza » Lujan de Cuyo
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

As good as malbec gets, at least in 2007. In Mendoza, the vintage was hardly outstanding for malbec; both Catena and Hubert Weber made their signature blends mostly with cabernet sauvignon instead. Yet this wine checks every box when it comes to what M...

Catena Malbec (2009)

Winery: Catena
Region: Argentina » Mendoza
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

The nose is a little swampy at first, then a lovely maple syrup note comes across. Then the wine explodes into flavor as it enters the mouth, with bright berries followed a delicious note of stewed prunes. The texture may be a little chalky at first, b...

Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Reserva (2009)

Winery: Terrazas de los Andes
Region: Argentina » Mendoza
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

Ripe plum and black cherry flavors abound, mixed with the tiniest hint of ammonia in the nose, which subsides quickly. The wine is still rather tannic, but the rough structure and seemingly endless finish suggest it will improve with a few more years. ...

Bodega Norton Malbec Reserve (2007)

Winery: Kaiken
Region: Argentina » Mendoza » Lujan de Cuyo
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Welkja

Very ripe raspberry, fig and boysenberry that is mixed with dark toast,and vanilla. It is velvety textured and balanced. A very nice wine!

Lois Malbec Espumante (2010)

Winery: Bodega Enrique Foster
Region: Argentina
Varietal: Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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Argovino

A rarity – a sparkler made entirely from malbec – that delights in its own way, with tiny bubbles and pleasing flavors of green plum and tea. Lacks the toastiness of a fine champagne, but that’s not the point here; a touch of sweetness and a peachy tin...

Fabre Montmayou Malbec Mendoza Gran Reserva (2009)

Winery: Fabre Montmayou
Region: Argentina
Varietal: Malbec
Color: Red Wines
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Argovino

What if the best malbecs from Mendoza were actually made in Bordeaux, perhaps Fronsac? Putting aside malbec’s roots in Cahors, you’d probably end up with something like this: direct, refined, with a modicum of sweetness, perhaps a little extra tannin, ...

La Posta Cocina Tinto (2010)

Winery: La Posta
Region: Argentina
Varietal: Malbec , Syrah , Bonarda
Type: Table Wines
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nputens

Juicy, hot, nice fruity finish. [From "Red Blends" at Bin 105, Lincoln NE, 21 July 2012.]

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Popular Malbec wines

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Popular Regions for Malbec View all

  • Mendoza

    Mendoza is by far the largest and most prolific wine region in all of Argentina. It’s part of t...

  • South West France

    South West France, or Sud Ouest, is a large expanse that covers several districts within the co...

  • USA

    "American Wine" has existed since the first Europeans brought their vinous heritage and tradition...

  • Australia

    The history of wine-making in Australia dates back to the late 1700s when the first European se...

  • California

    Viticulture in California began in the 1700s as Spanish missionaries worked their way north fro...

  • Chile

    Winemaking was first introduced to Chile by Spanish settlers in the 1500’s, but it wasn’t until...

  • New Zealand

    The history of New Zealand wine-making dates back to the 1800s when settlers planted vines and ...

  • France

    Perhaps no country evokes such strong associations with fine wine as does France. Its reputatio...

  • Argentina

    Argentina is one of the top five wine-producing countries in the world. For a long time, most o...

Popular Wineries using Malbec

  • Bodegas Santa Ana

    The place where you grow up and live great moments of your life is very important... because of t...

  • Durigutti

    Two brothers of diverse wine-making backgrounds come together in the elaboration of Durigutti ...

  • Bodega y Cavas de Weinert

    Founded in 1975, Bodega y Cavas de Weinert is located in Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina cradle of high ...

  • Bodegas Etchart

    Bodegas Etchart was founded in the year 1850, in La Florida, Cafayate, province of Salta, Argenti...

  • Finca SOPHENIA

    Following the advice of Michel Rolland, Finca SOPHENIA has made its dream true: preparing great w...

  • Gimenez Riili

    The Gimenez Riili Family has had a tradition in viticulture since 1945, when Don Pedro Gimenez ch...

People getting updates on Malbec Wines

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Malbec on Snooth

  • Lulub's

    May 2013

    Lulub's

    Snoothrank:

    I found this wine to be like a Malbec wine in flavor. Would recommend it. Read More

    Wine review by doublelu2


  • Cameron Hughes Lot 343 Meritage IGP Pays D'Oc 2011

    May 2013

    Cameron Hughes Lot 343 Meritage IGP Pays D'Oc 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Cabernet 63%, Merlot 19%, Malbec 18%Alcohol by volume: 13.5% Read More

    Wine review by ApelsecS


  • Alamos Malbec Mendoza 2012

    May 2013

    Alamos Malbec Mendoza 2012

    Snoothrank:

    Full, good. Read More

    Wine review by smuratore


  • Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2009

    May 2013

    Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by puhnner


  • Catena Malbec

    May 2013

    Catena Malbec

    Snoothrank:

    The 2010 appears to have a serious quality-control issue. I've purchased three bottles of this wine in the past month. The first was exquisite...but the last two were well on the way to becoming vinegar. Read More

    Wine review by greybeard3


  • Cigar Box Malbec Reserve Malbec 2013

    May 2013

    Cigar Box Malbec Reserve Malbec 2013

    Snoothrank:

    This wine displays aroma of ripe plum and violets along with subtle hints of vanilla. A wonderful display of great structure, this wine stands out for its meatiness and intense rich flavor while a soft silky finish balances the overall experience. I enjoyed this with General Tso chicken with great pleasure. Read More

    Wine review by DJBWinelover66


  • Luigi Bosca Malbec 2010

    May 2013

    Luigi Bosca Malbec 2010

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Piyakkad


  • Renacer Punto Final Malbec Clasico 2011

    May 2013

    Renacer Punto Final Malbec Clasico 2011

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by puhnner


  • Bodega Weinert Malbec 2006

    May 2013

    Bodega Weinert Malbec 2006

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by gntop1


  • La Posta Malbec Angel Paulucci Vineyard 2010

    May 2013

    La Posta Malbec Angel Paulucci Vineyard 2010

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by jagarr


  • Apr 21

    I am trying to learn blind tasting. So far I'm looking to group together classic representative or varietally correct wines that have similar properties, so that I may learn how to tell the differences between them. What varietal wines do you think might present similarly to Malbec from Argentina? I'm new so Carmenere was my best guess. I'd lov...

    Comment by 1277765JenniferT 1277765 JenniferT


  • Jan 31, 2012

    THis is the first Malbec I ever tried. I have tried others now but the Finca Los Primos Malbec is one of my favorites, not only because of the smooth taste but also the price is so fabulous that it is my staple on hand wine.

    Comment by 1029647Kimboe 1029647 Kimboe


  • Dec 1, 2011

    Argentine Winery Tapiz is great with Malbec!

    Comment by 218530amour 218530 amour


  • Sep 5, 2010

    justed had a taste of Malbec 2008, it paired well with our pasta dish

    Comment by 572455isomiii 572455 isomiii


  • Jun 17, 2010

    I've just uploaded picture#4 in the 'Malbec' varietal profile. This is a Malbec grape from the 40 years-old vines in Cahors - the French Malbec!

    Comment by 494031Philippe Lejeune 494031 Philippe Lejeune


  • Jun 17, 2010

    New image uploaded to this page.

    Page modification by 494031Philippe Lejeune 494031 Philippe Lejeune


  • May 16, 2010

    I absolutely cannot get enough of the FInca el Retiro Malbec 2004, but can't seem to find any lately. It is the best Malbec I have ever had! Simply delicious to the last drop. Ahhhh!

    Comment by 480607strofan23 480607 strofan23


  • Apr 20, 2010

    one of the best and inexpensive Malbecs I have tried was 2006 MONTES... good quality for the price, even in Istanbul tURKEY where we pay tons of duty import and local taxes...!!!!

    Comment by 454743mesut 454743 mesut


  • Apr 12, 2010

    Punto Final 2008. Luscious, luscious. I just love the jamminess at the front of every mouthful, the great body and the superbe finish. Then, repeat!

    Comment by 300941rosenkavalier 300941 rosenkavalier


  • Apr 10, 2010

    Can you find Cabo De Hornos Melbec 2007 Gran Reserva?

    Comment by 91400Diane B 91400 Diane B


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