Malbec - A Savory, Rich Wine
By Sarah Martin

Malbec is a grape that is famous for being a Bordeaux varietal. The wine is created from is a classic French grape vine that produces a bloody red beverage that in terms of taste is described as a cross between Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon. It's very deep red color is very attracitve and it is known for its plum like aromas and high tannin content.

Although it is sometimes drunk on its own, it is most well known for being one of the six grapes that are used in making the classify French Bordeaux wines. It s distinctive for its inky dark color and is named after the Hungarian peasant who first cultivated it.

It is often called a savory wine as it sometimes tastes or smells the herb sage. It can also have chocolate, black pepper and cherry aromas and tastes but it just does not have that sugary quality that some French wines grown in France do.

Malbec is a very common grape in France. Outside of France it is known in Europe as Auxerrois and Cot. There are actually hundreds of names for this grape and the wine that it is created from because it is planted in nearly every area of France. A wine in France can't be called a Malbec unless it continas a minimum of 70% of the content of this grape.

Malbec wines have really taken off in Argentina where it is the main wine crop. These vines were transplanted into the country from Europe. In Argentina Malbec is spelled a little differently - as Malbeck. The wines made there are sometimes nicknamed 'New World Merlot.' These wines also seem to age better than the French versions which oxidize very quickly. The main Malbec growing area in Argentina is known as the Cahors. Malbec also has a popular clone grape growing in Argentina known as Fer.

The Malbec grape has also become a popular crop in vineyards in Chile, Australia and California. It is also grown on Long Island and in Washington in the United States. It is also usually blended with other varietals in these countries and regions. For some reason Malbec cultivated in these countries due not seem to develop the plum and anise flavors that the French version of the grape does.

The grape is harvested midsummer and needs a lot of heat to be great. It is high maintenance and must be grown on a trellis. The crop can be killed by an early frost.

Elsewhere in the world the Malbec varietal is also known as Cahors, Calarin, Cauli, Costa Rosa Auxerrois, Noir De Pressac, Noir Doux, Nyar De Presak Auxerrois De Laquenexy, Auxerrois Des Moines De Picpus, Auxerrois Du Mans, Balouzat, Beran, Queue Rouge, Quille De Coy, Romieu, Teinturin, Terranis Blanc De Kienzheim De Tours, Grifforin, Guillan, Hourcat, Jacobain, Luckens, Magret, Noir Doux, Nyar De Presak, Parde, Perigord, Pied De Perdrix, Pied Noir, Pied Rouge, Pied Rouget, Piperdy, Plant D'Arles, Plant De Meraou, Plant Du Roi, Queue Rouge, Quille De Coy and Terranis.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in fine wines and international cuisine. For a wide selection of wine varietals, please visit http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape

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