Malbec

Malbec is a black, mellow grape variety originally grown in the Loire Valley and Cahors[?]. Long known as one of the six grapes used in the blending of Bordeaux wine, it is increasingly celebrated as an Argentinean varietal wine.

Called Auxerrois in Cahors, Cot in the Loire, the grape became less popular in Bordeaux after 1956 when frost killed off 75% of the crop. However, Malbec continued to be popular in Cahors where was mixed with Merlot and Tannat[?] to make dark, full-bodied wines.

Malbec is widely planted in Argentina and Chile producing a softer, less-tannic driven variety than the wines of Cahors. The best examples of these wines come from the Argentinean region of Mendoza[?].