We started this year full of optimism; we were confident we’d achieve our fitness and financial goals without sacrificing the quality of our wine consumption (there are some lines you don’t cross). We were certain Elon Musk would find a way of transfiguring ocean plastic into young and virile white rhinos and that the Arctic Monkeys would go on tour, releasing a readily available and reasonably priced allocation of tickets… Guess what, now were on the brink of WW3, are you happy with yourself Mr Turner? We would’ve looked good on the dance floor but now it’s nothing but a radioactive desolate discotech and frankly we’re not even in the mood for dancing!
With the destruction of humanity pencilled in for some time next Tuesday, we implore you to leave no celebration unobserved. Thus, it is with great festive fervour that we wish you all a happy World Malbec Day! In honour of the occasion we thought we’d answer a few frequently asked questions about Malbec (if you’d rather just get straight into drinking Malbec we completely understand… time is short.)
What is Malbec?
Malbec is a full bodied red wine that is mostly produced in Argentina .
Is Malbec Called anything else?
Cot, Auxerrois & Pressac
Where is Malbec from?
Originally Malbec came from France where it was one of the 5 key Bordeaux varietals however after the outbreak of Phylloxera (a troublesome tree bug) in the late 1850s that ravaged French grape vines, plantings of Malbec became much less significant in Bordeaux. There is a growing trend for Malbec produced in Cahors (south of Bordeaux) but by far the most important place for Malbec is Argentina. You have probably seen Malbec from the Argentinian region of Mendoza where it is most densely planted and particularly at higher altitudes the grape does exceptionally well. However other regions in Argentina such as Patagonia and Salta are becoming increasingly significant.
What does Malbec taste like?
Typically, Malbec will taste of blackberry, bramble and plum if it is from warmer climates like Mendoza or it will have more of a tart dark cherry character if it’s grown in a cooler region like Cahors. This fruit profile will usually be balanced with a varying amount of mocha, coffee, blackpepper and sweet spice depending on the amount of time the wine was aged in new oak.
What food does Malbec go with?
Due to the Argentinian link, most wine & food types would recommend a nice juicy steak and we whole heartedly agree. However, it will also pair really nicely with barbequed meats with plenty of herbs and spices, blue cheese and Portobello mushrooms.
What other wines are similar to Malbec?
If you like Malbec, give Australian Shiraz a chance as it’s similarly full-bodied with an equally appealing dark fruit profile and a typically spicy undertone.
