Malbec is a fascinating wine! It’s unclear where the name “Malbec” came from, but it’s believed that the grape is named after the Hungarian peasant responsible for bringing the wine to France. It is still capable of giving deeply coloured, inky-purple wines. The ripening process gives the grapes smooth tannins and a plum-like flavor that adds depth and complexity to the wines produced from the Malbec grape. Since its introduction to Argentina, it has adapted itself to the conditions to produce beautifully full-bodied red wine, with soft-tannins, a rich, juicy flavour and hallmark velvety-smooth texture. Malbec is a red grape variety, originally grown in south-west France’s Cahors and Loire Valley regions (where it was commonly known as Cot). We’ll answer the question, “What is Malbec wine?”, and explain about the different types of Malbec wine, where the best Malbec wine comes from, and even give you a few recommendations of our own organic Malbecs to try.īy the end of this page, you’ll know everything you need to know to kick back and enjoy a glass of this delightful red wine! What is organic Malbec wine? Malbec is a grape that makes one of the most popular South American wines, as well as one of the most affordable and widely available.īelow, we take a look at Malbec and find out more about it. For a quicker snack that makes an equally good pairing, simply slice some sharp cheddar or gouda and serve with seasoned crackers.If you are looking for a high quality red wine to try, look no further than Malbec. Dark poultry, charcuterie, empanadas and tacos or other Mexican favorites are also excellent pairings. In the Loire Valley, malbec (côt) is often vinified with gamay, grolleau and other native varieties and shows a much lighter and fresher flavor profile.īecause of its bright acid fruit-driven flavors and robust tannins, malbec pairs extremely well with red meats and hearty vegetables, especially grilled or roasted. When vinified on its own, malbec generally shows jammy flavors of ripe plums, dark berries, crushed violets and earth. The key to cultivating great malbec? A good dose of tender loving care. However, when these threats aren’t present, malbec can often produce extremely high yields, which generally leads to lower-quality fruit. In the vineyard, malbec is highly susceptible to frost, mildew and rot, which can pose great stress for the winemakers who grow it. Although steel-vinified expressions of the grape certainly exist, most winemakers use some form of wood (new or neutral) on malbec to soften its hearty flavors and tannins.Īlthough cultivated worldwide, malbec is most commonly grown in Argentina, southwest France, the Bordeaux region of France, and California. Malbec is vinified in a variety of styles, and its final flavor profile depends on vinification choices made by winemakers. (Note that in France, malbec is referred to as côt.) These strong colors and equally hearty tannins come from the grape’s rather thick skins, which actually need more sunlight and heat than do those of cabernet sauvignon to achieve optimal ripeness.ĭespite the fact that malbec has recently become synonymous with Argentinian wine, the grape actually finds its roots in southwestern France. Although malbec-based wines can fall all over the flavor profile spectrum, these wines are generally inky, dark-hued and marked by robust tannins. Malbec is a purple-skinned grape variety that’s cultivated worldwide. However, depending on where the grape is grown, you can expect to encounter differing flavor profiles in the resulting wines. The grape often creates medium- to full-bodied wines that are loaded with floral, earthy and fruit-driven flavors in equal parts. Malbec’s rise in consumer appreciation isn’t hard to understand. Once relatively unknown in the U.S., this purple-hued grape is now frequently found on by-the-glass lists at bars and restaurants and often has its own section in wine retail shops as well. Malbec has seen a spike in popularity over the past decade.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |