Malbec

Everything You Need To Know About Malbec Wine

When it comes to finding the perfect red wine to go with your dinner, it might become an overwhelming process.  It is believed there are hundreds of different varieties of red wines available within the marketplace, and wines which have the same name are made differently at each winery.  This makes it nearly impossible to know everything there is to know about wines which are not found among the most common types of red wines.  That is why within this article we’re going to go into depth with one particular red wine you should know more about, which is the Malbec Wine.

What is Malbec Wine?

Malbec wines have a dark and smoky finish, and are comparable to the more well-known Cabernet Sauvignon red wine.  However, this wine is typically more inexpensive than the Cabernet, which makes it a more attractive option for when you don’t have a lot of discretionary income to spend on wine.

The main grape types within Malbec consist of Black Cherry along with some combination of plum, raspberry, blueberry, pomegranate and blackberry.  These ingredients help gives this wine its dark red color, and is considered one of the darkest colored wines available.  However, due to these ingredients, it is typically known for having one of the highest contents of acid as well, which help preserve the wine if it is on the shelf for a while, but can give a little bit more of a bitter taste as well.

Other aromas you might find within this wine are Black Pepper, Tobacco, Mocha and Cocoa, to name a few.  Most Malbec within the world is made in Argentina, as they have close to 3/4ths of the land in the world which are dedicated towards Malbec.

How Does Malbec Wine Taste?

There are a few distinguishing tells of the Malbec wine.

  • As described before, the wine will have a darker red, or even a purplish hue to it, which makes it very distinguishable from other red wines.
  • Because of the different ingredients and types of grapes, there is a more acidic taste to the wine.
  • However, there is not nearly as much Oak taste nodes as you might expect from wine with the list of ingredients such as this. Malbec wine is normally only aged for nine months or less, which does not allow the oak flavor to permeate within the wine.
  • There are some wineries which prefer to have a more oak flavor within this wine, so they will store their Malbec barrels for up to two years. When this occurs, though, the bottle of wine will typically be double the price than what you will normally see for a standard bottle of Malbec

Why Is Malbec Wine So Popular Now?

In recent years, Malbec wine has seen a surge in popularity due to its relatively low price point and easy drinkability. In addition, many renowned winemakers are now producing top-quality Malbec wines, which has helped to increase its profile even further. As a result, Malbec wine is now considered to be one of the most popular red wines in the world.

Some History Of Malbec Wine

The first recorded mention of Malbec wine dates back to 1584, when French doctor Jean de Lescure wrote about “a strong and excellent red wine” from the Cahors region. However, it wasn’t until 1853 that Malbec was officially recognized as a distinct grape variety.

Until the early 1900s, Cahors was the only region in France that produced Malbec wine. However, in 1909, Argentinean winemaker Nicolás Catena Zapata planted Malbec vines in Mendoza province and began producing wines under the Catena label. These wines were an instant hit with Argentinean consumers and helped to put Argentinean wines on the map internationally.

In recent years, Argentinean producers have continued to experiment with different styles of Malbec wine. As a result, Argentinean Malbec’s are now some of the most highly sought-after wines in the world.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or someone who just enjoys a good glass of red every now and then, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of—and maybe even fallen in love with—malbec wine. This delicious red wine originates from southwest France but has seen a surge in popularity due largely to its production in Argentina. So if you’re looking for a new favorite red wine, be sure to give Malbec a try!

Conclusion

With Malbec Wine, it typically pairs best with food that typically has more eclectic tastes, like certain flavors of cheese and mushrooms, as well as thinner meat.  If you are going to serve heavy foods, this more than likely is not the right wine for you; however, the lighter and more diverse the food selection, the greater the probability that Malbec wine will go very nicely with your meal.  We hope you give a bottle of Malbec a chance soon, and when you do, please let us know what you paired it with, and how it tasted!