Malbec is one of the UK’s most beloved wines. Whether it’s a juicy house pour or something refined higher up your wine list, customers love it for its concentrated fruity flavours and value for money. We love it for its reliability and food pairing qualities making its popularity sore in recent years especially those wines from Argentina.
Originally found in South West France, Malbec, known as Auxerrois or Côt, was a popular blending grape adding deep colour and tannins to Bordeaux and Cahor wines. But it can be difficult to grow in these areas, suffering from mildew, pests and frost. So, when the big frost on the 1950s hit the area, many growers took the opportunity to uproot the vines and replant to the easier to handle Merlot.
Step in Argentina, ‘Malbec’s Saviour’. Having been taken to South America in the mid 19th century by a French agricultural engineer, Malbec was found to grow successfully and plantings were widespread across Argentina, with Mendoza being especially popular. At the time no one knew why the grape flourished so well, but over time, any many experiments later, it was discovered that Malbec ripened better at the higher altitudes. Long warm sunny days and colder nights meant that the grape could ripen for longer, retaining acidity and concentrating flavours. Many growers found they were making wines that were balanced enough to be made as a single variety. Deep purple in colour, blackcurrant and plum fruit, high but soft tannins and limited oak ageing needed, Argentinian Malbec became a great tasting and affordable wine. Popularity grew and more vines were planted, Argentina now accounts for over 75% of Malbec worldwide and it is named as the National Variety of Argentina.
Malbec Fact Sheet for download
Malbec loves hearty food; some people even call the wine a ‘beefy red’ because it pairs so well with steak, burgers and BBQ meats - think about the Argentinians and their love of red meats. The high level of tannins, thanks to its thick skins, help bind the protein in the meat, making it smoother and juicier. Equally those Malbecs with high acidity, cut through richness and offer a fresh contrast working well with both red but other flavoursome meats such as game and pork.
If you’re not offering meat, that’s not a problem for Malbec. Umami, salty and savoury foods are also complimented by the wine’s strong flavours and structure. Mushrooms, aged cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, lentils and balsamic vinegar are all complimented by Malbec. Don’t forget spices either, earthy flavours of cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, black pepper and anything with barbecue sauce would pair nicely again adding the contrast of fresh fruit flavours against savoury foods.
Here at Gerrard Seel for World Malbec Day, we are suggesting the great wines from Mi Terruño. In the heart of Mendoza the Baigorria family have been involved in the wine industry since 1960, firstly purchasing vines and in 2004 building their own winery. Mi Terruño, meaning ‘my terroir’ is managed by a brother and sister team making wines that are driven to express their unique vineyards and of course their grapes.
The vineyards are strategically located along the Mendoza River to ensure there is excellent irrigation. They are eastern facing for maximum sunlight, have high altitudes, significant rainfall and temperature variations between day and night. These factors all allow for healthy vine growing and high-quality grapes for Chief Winemaker Maria, to make the best possible wines.
Traditional Malbec with ripe blackberry and plum flavours, smooth and well balanced
An excellently produced wine from Maria. Hand-picked grapes from a premium vineyard. Packed with sweet fruit, toasty notes and ripe tannins.
With the increase in sales and popularity worldwide Malbec is now grown in 7 countries, France, where it is still blended but Cahors have a minimum of 70% Malbec, Chile, USA, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. It comes in many forms from young, juicy and fresh styles, to concentrated, elegant, aged wines. For something different, winemakers are making rosé and white wines from the black grape with great success.
There is a Malbec for any wine lover, so why not celebrate World Malbec Day April 17th and show your customers how great-tasting and versatile this wine can be.
Salud!
