History
Although Malbec has gained popularity from its Argentinian wines, its original home is the South-West of France. It made its way over to Argentina with a French agronomist (agricultural scientist) who was employed by the Governor of Mendoza. Although Mendoza is one of the highest-regarded wine regions for producing Malbec, it is planted all over Argentina.
Malbec grapes being harvested at Bodegas Sottano in Mendoza, Argentina
In France the home of Malbec is firmly in the South-West, with Cahors being the most notable region where it is grown. Although it grows in other areas, it is mainly a small blending component rather than a standout variety. Historically, there were large plantings of Malbec in Bordeaux as it helped add colour and tannin to the wines, but deep frosts wiped out the majority of plantings in the 1950s, and since then, Malbec has been replaced with other varieties.
The vineyard at Chateau Pineraie in Cahors, France
What’s the difference?
Each region grows slightly different clones of Malbec, which are better suited to the different climates, however, the main characteristics are the same, but vastly different styles are produced.
Malbec can struggle to fully ripen in some climates, it needs long sunny warm days in order to fully do so. In Argentina, this isn’t a struggle as the summers are warm and hot, sometimes too hot, which helps fully ripen the grapes, leading to deeper coloured wines with high levels of tannins, which are juicy in style. There is much higher production in Argentina, some wines spend a lot of time in oak and are richer and heavier, and others spend no time in oak, so are much more approachable in their youth and are juicy, dark wines.
Bodegas Sottano Malbec 2023, Argentina
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In France there hasn’t always been the guarantee of grapes fully ripening as the weather hasn’t been as consistent in the growing season, this has become less of an issue in recent vintages. Due to the slightly cooler climate, however, you get wines that are slightly lighter in colour and have grippier tannins. The French style is often oak aged for varying amounts of time, which adds another layer of richness to the wines, the more premium styles will spend more time in oak and are intended to age for several years.
Chateau Pineraie Cahors 2021, France
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While both regions create wines at different quality levels, which can be drunk young and fruity, or wines that need time to age in bottle, they both do produce excellent wines. Argentina is well known for the dark fruity rich styles that many now know as synonyms with Malbec, while Frances continues to produce elegantly oaked rich wines with fantastic tannins, just don’t expect as much cassis and dark fruit.
