If you have tasted a wine made from the Malbec grape, chances are good that it was from Argentina where they grow more of it than the rest of the world put together. However, Malbec originated in France (probably in northern Burgundy). A combination of susceptibility to frost, disease, and the invasion of a louse called phylloxera killed most of the French vines and led to their replacement with sturdier varieties. Only one region of France, Cahors, still promotes the grape. The red wine from Cahors must contain at least 70% Malbec in order to retain AOC (controlled origin) status.
The differences in soil, climate and winemaking technique means Cahors Malbec is very different from its Argentinean counterpart. You can taste this wine on Friday at Sacred Cellars at 7:30pm when Maarten Luyckx, wine maker at Chateau Famaey, will be in town on his annual visit to show the new vintage of his wines. RSVP here.
