red grape · major international
Malbec
Cahors, France
Say it
mal·bek
Final -c is pronounced; synonym Côt is /ko/ (rhymes with English 'coat'); Auxerrois /ok-sɛ-ʁwa/ in Cahors
On the palate
black plumblackberryblack cherryvioletchocolatetobacco
How you spot it blind: inky color with violet lift and plush, velvety dark-fruit texture
The story
First written down · 16th century, Cahors, France
DNA analysis published in 2009 confirmed parentage as Magdeleine Noire des Charentes × Prunelard, making Malbec a genetic half-sibling of Merlot (same mother, different father).
Family tree: MAGDELEINE NOIRE DES CHARENTES × PRUNELARD
Where it lives
Mendoza, Argentina · Cahors AOC, France · Touraine/Loire Valley, France · Patagonia, Argentina
Shows up as
still redCahors AOCMendoza Malbec
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Also answers to Côt, Auxerrois (Cahors), Pressac.
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