What does Malbec mean in English?

/ (mælˈbɛk) / noun. a black grape originally grown in the Bordeaux region of France and now in Argentina and Chile, used for making wine. a rustic mid-bodied red wine made from this grape.

Where did Malbec get its name?

The name Malbec was introduced at some point in the 1780s, most likely because Monsieur Malbeck planted it in Bordeaux. During the middle ages, the wine was produced only in Cahors and was shipped to Bordeaux where it was sold. During the 1300s, Bordeaux was the center of the wine trade with England.

What makes a Malbec a Malbec?

Malbec wines are dry, full-bodied, and exhibit rich, dark fruit nose and flavors like blackberry and red plum. They're juicy and jammy, with notes of vanilla, tobacco, dark chocolate, and oak. With medium acid and moderate levels of tannins, they pair well with food.

What is the difference between Malbec and red wine?

Like many red wines, Malbec wine pairs well with meat, especially red meat. However, unlike some of its red wine cousins (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) it doesn't have a very long finish, making it easy to overwhelm with fattier meats. Instead, seek out lean cuts of beef, turkey, or even ostrich.

Is Malbec Spanish?

Although malbec originates (under the name Cot) in south-west France, notably Cahors, most examples that crop up on the supermarket shelves come from Argentina. By and large, style is related to price.

What is MALBEC - What you need to know about this popular grape.

Which country makes the best Malbec?

Although malbec originated in France, it's more likely to be associated with Argentina, the country that produces the lion's share of the world's malbec and is credited with its resurging popularity.

Which is nicer Merlot or Malbec?

They both go very well with beef and cheese, although Merlot has a slightly larger range than that of Malbec. Malbec is also lower in acidity than Merlot, and has softer tannins than Merlot, even as a young wine.

Which one is sweeter Merlot or Malbec?

Let's start easy: both are considered dry red wines. Like Pinot Noir, Merlot wine has less than 0.5g of residual sugar, making it an extremely dry wine. On the other hand, Malbec wine is sweeter, with around 1.5g of residual sugar.

What's the difference between Malbec and Pinot Noir?

Malbec is the meatier of the two varieties, offering structure and tannin to the blend. Conversely, Pinot Noir is more aromatic, giving perfume to the wines. When properly balanced, Malbec and Pinot Noir blends can exhibit plums and violets on the nose, with classic red-berry and dark-raspberry flavors.

Is Malbec the healthiest wine?

Malbec. As an especially thick-skinned variety, Malbec claims higher antioxidant levels than other red wines especially in terms of resveratrol. This variety has two to four times the amount of anti-inflammatory, health boosting antioxidants than other popular red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

What wine is most similar to Malbec?

Syrah is more similar to Old World Malbec with its notes of olive, black pepper spice, smoke, and even bacon fat in some instances. It is commonly seen as a single variety wine or can be blended with other grape varieties such as Grenache and Mourvedre in Côtes du Rhône blends.

Does Malbec mean bad grape?

The word “malbec” originates from the French words “mal bouche,” meaning “bad mouth,” because of the poor opinion old French winemakers had about the grape.

What is the difference between Malbec and Merlot?

Merlot is a bluish variety of grape used to create varietal wines while working as a blending grape. Malbec is a deeper inky coloured grape offering full-bodied tannins and is listed as one of the six grape varieties approved in the mix of Bordeaux wine.

What is the difference between Malbec and Shiraz?

Malbec features more of the classic aged red wine notes, such as vanilla, plum and blackcurrant. If you're trying to decide between Malbec and Shiraz for a food pairing, remember that Malbec does not have a strong finish, unlike the strong, smokey impression that Shiraz leaves on the palate.

Is Chianti similar to Malbec?

Malbec and Chianti are two exquisite red grapes that have a lot in common but also have a lot of differences. Chianti is a well-known Italian grape that grows in areas such as Tuscany. It was built sometime in the 13th century. Malbec, on the other hand, is a French red wine that originated in the Bordeaux region.

What is the difference between Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Main Differences Between Malbec And Cabernet

Malbec tends to be more full-bodied with moderate to high tannins, meaning it feels heavy in the mouth. Cabernet, on the other hand, is a light-bodied wine with a lower tannin level. Between the two, Malbec is on the drier end.

What is sweeter cabernet or Malbec?

Malbec is a dry to moderately dry wine, whereas Merlot can be extremely dry. In other words, Malbec tastes sweeter than Cabernet Sauvignon, but both wines are dry. Merlot has a medium to full body, whereas Malbec has a fuller body.

What red wine will not give me a headache?

Drink red wine sparingly, or try a varietal that's less likely to prompt headaches — a Pinot Noir (lower in tannins), perhaps? Or hey, you can always just give up and drink white!

Is Malbec full bodied?

Malbec is a full-bodied red wine that grows mostly in Argentina. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, Malbec wine offers a great alternative to higher priced Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Should Malbec wine be refrigerated?

Cold temperatures heighten the structure of the entire wine, including the tannins, which will become more astringent and downright unpleasant. Look for full-bodied wines with less tannin and more fruit, such as Zinfandel and Malbec, which will remain fresh when chilled (and may convert light wine lovers!).

Is French or Argentinian Malbec better?

A Malbec from Argentina tends to be plummy and fruit-forward, with a velvety soft texture. In France, Malbec tends to have more structure, firmer tannins, and an inky dark, brooding quality.

Why is Malbec so popular?

Malbec Global Popularity

One reason why Malbec is so popular, is because it is produced in 7 different countries: Malbec is most commonly grown in Argentina, due to the declining growth in France, with 76,000 hectares of vineyards. France has the second largest coverage of Malbec vines, with 15,000 hectares.