Malbec is a type of red wine that has gained immense popularity among wine enthusiasts. This grape variety originated in France but has now found its way into several wine appellations across the globe. Some regions are known to produce Malbec wine that stands out from the rest.
Top regions for Malbec include South America, France, and the United States. The unique climate and soil in these regions create ideal conditions for growing this variety of grapes. The Argentine Mendoza region, in particular, is the leading area for Malbec production due to its high altitude, sunny days, and dry climate.
On September 19, Laura Catena will join our Premium Wine Club for a guided tasting featuring a Malbec and red blend from Argentina.
1. Malbec Wines from South America: Chile & Argentina
Chilean and Argentine Malbec wines offer distinct flavors shaped by their unique terroirs. Chilean Malbecs are typically lighter, more acidic, and fruit-forward. In contrast, Argentine Malbecs are fuller-bodied with more tannins, creating a richer, more complex taste.
Chile’s Central Valley, with its cool climate and volcanic soils, produces fresh and bright Malbecs. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Mendoza region, known for its warm, dry climate and high-altitude vineyards, is home to robust and bold Malbecs.
These differences make each country’s Malbec appealing to different tastes. Chilean Malbecs suit those who prefer lighter, fruitier wines, while Argentine Malbecs cater to those who enjoy fuller, bolder reds. Both showcase their regions’ unique qualities and winemaking traditions.
WTSO Malbec Wine Recommendation
The upcoming Premium Wine Club tasting set features Luca Malbec Paraje Altamira 2021. This wine features notes of black cherry and dark berry with hints of violet, vanilla, and mocha. The flavor is deep and dense on the palate with round tannins. This is a great expression of Malbec from Altamira’s sunny days and cold nights. Luca’s collection also features a red blend and Syrah. Subscribe to the WTSO monthly wine subscription to get bottles of Argentine wines shipped directly to your door!
2. French Malbec: Bordeaux & Cahors
France is widely recognized as one of the best wine sources for Malbec, thanks to growers in Bordeaux and Cahors. Bordeaux, located in southwest France, excels in producing full-bodied and complex Malbec wines. The region’s terroir, with pockets of gravelly soil and a maritime climate, provides the perfect conditions for Malbec grapes to thrive. Bordeaux Malbecs are deep in color with aromas of dark fruit and spices. On the palate, these wines offer a bold and tannic structure with blackberry, plum, and tobacco flavors.
Cahors, located southeast of Bordeaux, is known for producing intense and powerful Malbec wines. The appellation’s soil, consisting of limestone or gravel-sand terraces, provides the ideal conditions for Malbec grapes to grow. The grape variety must comprise at least 70% of all wines. Malbecs from Cahors are dark in color with intense black fruit, chocolate, and leather aromas. They deliver a rich, full-bodied structure with black cherry, blackcurrant, and licorice notes.
France’s appellations of Bordeaux and Cahors are renowned for their exceptional Malbec wines, which offer a unique expression of the terroir and an unforgettable tasting experience.
WTSO Malbec Wine Recommendation
Château du Perry achieves a generous varietal expression with their Malbec Cahors 2022. Plum and violet aromatics help frame the crushed raspberry and cassis notes on the palate. This 100% Malbec from Southwest France received 93 Points from Wine Enthusiast! Make sure to pluck your share for over half off from WTSO.com before sold out.
3. Malbec Made in the United States:
North Coast & Napa Valley
The United States is quickly becoming one of the best wine regions for growing Malbec grapes. The North Coast of California and Napa Valley are particularly notable for their exceptional Malbec wines. The unique terroir of these regions, combined with the expertise of local winemakers, creates ideal growing conditions for varietal wines.
The North Coast’s cool, foggy climate and well-draining soils provide the perfect environment for Malbec grapes to thrive. These grapes produce Malbec wines with notes of black cherry, plum, and dark chocolate, often with a hint of spice, similar to those from Argentina.
Napa Valley’s warm days, cool nights, and volcanic soils offer another ideal location for growing Malbec grapes. Malbec wines from this region showcase blackberry, blueberry, and vanilla notes with a smooth, velvety finish.
California’s North Coast and Napa Valley produce some of the best Malbec wines in the world, highlighting unique flavors and characteristics of these appellations.
WTSO Malbec Wine Recommendation
Beaulieu Vineyard’s ‘Reserve Tapestry’ red blend is layered, with chewy tannins and attractive blackcurrant and blackberry character. The Napa Valley region enjoyed a stunning, near picture-perfect 2018 growing season. It’s not surprising that this varietal scored highly among critics. Be sure to snag a bottle while you can!