10 Things You Didn’t Know About Malbec
While you’re probably already familiar with Malbec’s taste profile, you might not be aware of its rich history, growing needs, or ideal pairings.
Here are ten facts that will deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of this noble varietal. Remember, you can shop Tamarelli Malbec at anytime should the details become too tantalizing.
It originated in France. Native to the southwest part of France, it was used to make wine for hundreds of years and quickly became a common blending grape in Bordeaux. However, because of the grapes’ poor resistance to weather and pests, it never surfaced as a top French variety.
The French considered Malbec second-class. After the phylloxera pest epidemic took out most of Europe's original vines in the 1860s, little malbec was replanted, as it was not considered as noble as the other varieties.
Malbec first arrived in Argentina in 1853. It was planted by French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget. Today, Argentina is the world leader in malbec wine production.
It is a symbol of Argentina’s wine industry transformation. World Malbec Day is celebrated on April 17th because, on that day in 1853, a project to bolster and transform Argentina's vineyards was proposed and later approved that same year.
Seven countries grow Malbec. About 100,000 acres of Malbec are planted worldwide and Argentina accounts for over 76,000 acres.
The vines love high altitudes. In lower elevations, Malbec grapes struggle to produce the acidity they need to create great-tasting and long-lasting wine. High elevation areas with wide temperature swings (like in the Uco Valley!) make the grapes produce more acidity.
It pairs well with earthy flavors! Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec doesn’t have a super long finish. Because of this, Malbec is great with leaner red meats, blue cheese, mushrooms, and a wide variety of spices.
Americans are big fans. According to the Wine Institute, it’s one of the most popular wines in the United States. It is the fourth most popular red wine, exceeded by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.
Its popularity grew from the bottom up. Typically wine trends are set by the sommeliers, importers, and other notable wine professionals, but that's not the case with Malbec. Malbec was embraced nearly two decades ago thanks to its easy-drinking profile and lower price.
It comes in rosé and sparkling form. The popularity of Malbec has paved the way for more experimental approaches, including sparkling wines and rosés. You can learn more about Tamarelli Vineyards Rosé and purchase some here.