Malbec (mal-bek) is a full-bodied, inky dark red wine grape that originated in France. A softer, less tannic Malbec grape was planted in Argentina in 1868 where is has one of the most widely grown grape in the country.

A high-quality bottle from Argentina can be heavy on tannins, which contributes to the drier mouthfeel, whereas a more affordable bottle made in the United States might have moderate tannins and appear to be smoother or softer on the palate.

Malbec needs less oak than you might think. Malbec is so fruity and smooth, it often doesn’t need as much oak-aging. Affordable Malbec wines may only get 4–6 months in oak, whereas top-shelf Malbec gets as much as 18–20 months in oak.

WHERE TO FIND MALBEC

Well-known regions for producing Malbec wines include Mendoza, Patagonia, Central Valley, Cohars, Bourdeaux, Western Cape, and Robertson. Some top producing countries are Argentina, France, USA, Chile and South Africa.

MALBEC WINE FOOD PAIRINGS

The best food to pair with Malbec wine are Any Cut Steak Ribeyes, and NYStrips, Lamb, BBQ, Grilled Meats, Portabella Mushroom, Thyme, Herbs, Coffee Rubbed, and Smoke.

This wine should be consumed in a red wine glass. The average shelf life is about 5 years. The average bottle should cost around $10 -$15. Serve at room temperature and decant for at least 20 minutes.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT MOOD FOR MALBEC WINE?

MALBEC WINE RECOMMENDATIONS

Looking for recommendations on Malbec wines? Here are a few we suggest.