Dark plum, violets and velvet: a French grape that found fame in the Andes.
Where it grows
Malbec comes from south-west France. In Cahors, along the Lot river, it makes dark, firm reds sometimes called “black wine”. It was once common in Bordeaux too, but it is now rare there.
Its real success story is Argentina. In Mendoza, at the foot of the Andes, vineyards climb to 1,000 metres and more. The strong sun, cool nights and dry air give ripe fruit with fresh acidity. Malbec is now Argentina’s signature grape, and Chile, Washington State and New Zealand grow it too.
How it tastes
Malbec is deep purple, full-bodied and generous. The fruit is dark: plum, blackberry and black cherry, with violets, cocoa and a little smoke. The tannin is plentiful but smooth and velvety.
Argentine Malbec is ripe, plush and fruity; high-altitude wines are fresher and more floral. Cahors is more rustic and savoury, with firmer tannin. Many Malbecs see oak, which adds vanilla and chocolate.
What to eat with it
- Steak frites: the Argentine classic. Ripe, firm red with seared beef.
- Burgers and barbecue: dark fruit stands up to char and smoke.
- Lamb chops: plush fruit for pink, charred meat.
- Chili con carne: soft, ripe tannin cushions the spice.
- Empanadas: the Argentine way to drink it.
A little history
Malbec was one of the main grapes of Bordeaux until a terrible frost in 1956 killed many vines; most growers replanted with other varieties. Meanwhile, cuttings taken to Argentina in the mid-19th century were thriving in the sunshine of Mendoza. In the 1990s, Argentine producers began planting higher in the Andes and making fresher, finer Malbec. It became one of the great wine success stories of the last thirty years, and Argentina now grows more Malbec than anywhere else.
One bottle to start with
Catena Malbec from Mendoza (about €15). Nicolás Catena led Argentina’s move to high-altitude vineyards, and this is his everyday benchmark. For the French original, look for a Cahors.
Good to know
- Malbec is called Côt in Cahors and Auxerrois in parts of south-west France (not the same as Luxembourg’s white Auxerrois grape).
- World Malbec Day is celebrated every year on 17 April.
- Serve it at 16–18 °C. Young Argentine Malbec is ready to drink now.
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Photo: Ian L, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prices were checked in October 2026 and can change. Please drink responsibly. L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération.