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
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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 to the Phlloxera epidemic, allowing some vines to grow without the need for grafting. Wines made from these very old vines are highly sought after for their concentrated structure. In Mendoza, some of the most distinguished Malbec is produced from plantings in dizzingly high vineyards in the foothills of the Andes, where hot days and cool evenings allow for a long growing season and precise acid to alcohol balance in the grapes.
In other parts of the world, such as parts of the US, Malbec is rising in popularity as modern growing techniques have adapted to its persnickety growing needs.
Characteristics of the grape: deep red/purple/garnet, deep tannins, plum, dark cherry, blackberry, anise, tobacco, espresso
Regions where the grape is currently important: France: Bordeaux (Medoc), Cahors, Buzet, Bergerac, Languedoc, Saumur; Argentina, Chile, California, New York, Washington, Oregon, Australia
Type or types of wines the grape produces: dry red, rosé, dessert, sparkling
– Description from
Amanda Schuster
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