THE HISTORY OF MALBEC
IN FRANCE
Originally from south-west France, the Malbec grape of Cahors is one of the oldest in Europe, if not the world. The Romans introduced it more than 2,000 years ago!
Around the 19th century, vineyards were booming, but the expansion of Cahors Malbec (also known as Auxerrois in this region) was halted by phylloxera, a devastating aphid that wiped out 90% of French vineyards.
It rose from the ashes almost a century later thanks to the winegrowers' association and the creation of the PARNAC cellar around 1947, with the aim of reviving Malbec. Unfortunately, the cold spell of 1956 ruined the vineyard once again.
Even so, the winegrowers did not give up: in 1964, the Confrérie des vins de Cahors was founded.
Now essential in the Cahors vineyard, which obtained its Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée in 1971, Malbec must make up at least 70% of the wine.
IN ARGENTINA
The French agronomist Michel Pouget introduced it to Argentina in the mid-19th century, at a time when Malbec plantings were declining in France.
Malbec found ideal conditions to thrive, especially in Mendoza: sunshine, climate, temperature and exceptional geology (the Andes).
Since then, Malbec's genetic characteristics have evolved into a cultural identity of its own, while keeping some of its original traits. This “Argentine Malbec” has become a national emblem. Internationally, wines made from Argentine Malbec enjoy a fine reputation and are counted among the best in the world.
Today, nearly 85% of Argentine Malbec is concentrated in Mendoza (INV, 2025), home to the first DOC (Denominación de Origen Controlada, the equivalent of the AOC) in the Americas, Malbec Luján de Cuyo. Argentina is the world's leading producer.
In recent years, the vineyards of the Cahors region have been attracting more and more attention from other countries, especially from Argentines, as prices are still affordable compared with the rest of France.
The wheel has come full circle!
AMPELOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Adult leaves are medium-sized, orbicular and cuneate, entire and trilobed, and dark green in color with sharp teeth and a v-shaped petiole sinus.
The petiole tip is slightly pink and the median petiole is intensely colored reddish-purple.
The tip of the young branch has a high density of flattened hairs.
The cluster is medium, conical and clear.
The berries are spherical, small or medium-sized, bluish-black in color, with thin skin and soft pulp. The flesh is juicy and melting, both sweet and spicy.
It germinates in areas near the city of Mendoza in late September and early October and then ripens in March.
THE WINE
Malbec produces deeply coloured, aromatic, tannic wines suited to ageing in tanks or barrels.
Its most striking feature is its dark, intense colour with cherry tones and violet glints.
Its aromas recall a mix of ripe red fruit, strawberry jam or forest fruits.
On the palate, the wine shows its full splendour, with a silky texture, long persistence and a pleasant finish.
