| Malbec is a variety of grapes used for making red | | | | between evening and day temperatures with |
| wine. Malbec grapes tend to be a dark inky color | | | | minimum temperature of 27 degrees Fahrenheit in |
| and have vigorous tannins. Malbec is one of the | | | | a day. |
| six grapes permitted in the blending of red | | | | Introduced to Argentina by French agricultural |
| Bordeaux wine, and was named after the | | | | engineer Michel Pouget in 1868, Malbec is widely |
| Hungarian peasant who first introduced it to | | | | planted in Argentina producing a softer, less-tannic |
| France. The French plantations of Malbec are now | | | | driven variety than the wines of Cahors. The best |
| being found in Cahors in the South West France | | | | examples of these wines come from the |
| region. It has also been grown in Chile, southern | | | | Argentine region of Mendoza. In Argentina, where |
| Bolivia, Australia, on Long Island, NY, and in the | | | | Malbec seems to have found a natural home, the |
| cooler regions of California. | | | | grape is used to produce very popular varietal |
| The Malbec is a thin skinned grape and needs | | | | wines. It is now thought that the variety known |
| more sun and heat than either Cabernet | | | | as Fer in that country is a clone. In the 1990s, |
| Sauvignon or Merlot to mature. In mid-season the | | | | Malbec's potential and the increase of wine |
| grape will ripen, and it may be very deep in color, | | | | exports from South America saved the grape. In |
| ample tannin, and a particular plum-like flavor | | | | California the grape is used to make Meritage. |
| component to add complexity to claret blends. | | | | Malbec is also grown in Washington State, |
| The wines are usually rich, dark and juicy. The | | | | Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, British |
| Malbec grape also needs a high differential | | | | Columbia, southern Bolivia, and northeastern Italy. |