By Ray Spaziani
Wine Talk
Ray Spaziani
In recent years the popularity of Malbec has grown by leaps and bounds. This wine is a big, bold, easy-drinking red with lots of flavor and a great finish.
In the Middle Ages it was widely planted throughout France, and it became the favorite wine of aristocracy all over Europe. However, that fame and those vines disappeared. Malbec was problematic; it was too sensitive to the wet and cold weather of much of France’s wine regions. It was therefore relegated to the bottom of the pile.
When phylloxera wiped out most of Europe’s industry, most growers never replanted Malbec. They were looking for hardier vines.
Malbec was once widely planted in Bordeaux as well. Now it remains as part of the grapes that make up the famous Bordeaux blend together with Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and sometimes Carménère. However, less than one percent of Bordeaux’s red wine production is Malbec.
The one area of France where Malbec still is widely planted is Cahors. Cahors is located in the southwestern part of France. The wines from that area are dark in color and high in acid.
On April 17, 1853 a research center was founded in Argentina in an attempt to bring international varieties to that country. This date is set as Malbec Day in Argentina because the warm, sunny climate caused Malbec to thrive. The wines were terrific, and they became popular.
Chile started to grow Malbec as well. It soon became the second largest producer of Malbec in the world. Malbec is now grown in the US, Canada, New Zeeland, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.
Malbec is a full-bodied wine and is deep purple in color. It is rich in fruity flavors, but is medium in tannins. It is easy drinking and matches very well with steaks, chops and big pasta dishes. The South American Malbecs are relatively inexpensive and a great buy.
This fall, as the evenings get cooler, get a great bottle of Malbec and enjoy it with family and friends.
Ray Spaziani is the chapter director of the New Haven chapter of the American Wine Society. He is on the tasting panels of Winemaker Magazine and Amate del Vino and is a certified wine educator and award-winning home winemaker. Email Ray with your wine questions or activities at realestatepro1000@gmail.com.