Beverage
Malbec
Malbec (Côt in Cahors) is a dark, juicy red of plum, violet, and cocoa—tannic and inky in southwest France, plush and sun-ripe in Mendoza high vineyards. Argentine success redefined global Malbec as an accessible full red while Cahors keeps a firmer, more rustic profile. Braises, grilled steak, empanada-friendly sauces, and chocolate-chili glazes all take Malbec’s dark fruit well. Reduce until the alcohol softens; high-altitude bottles with good acid stay lively in long stews better than flabby, overripe examples.
Also known as: Malbec, Malbec / Côt, Malbec, Malbec
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Côt/Malbec was established in Cahors and southwest France as a dark local red.
Malbec plantings in Argentina took root and later became the country’s signature variety.
Mendoza export Malbec popularised the grape worldwide as a full, fruity red.