Wines and SpiritsArgentine Malbec
Argentina is the fifth largest wine producing country in the world after France, Italy, Spain, and the USA. Argentina wine first started in 1557 in Santiago Del Estero by Miguel Pouget, who was instructed by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento to bring over the first vine cuttings from France. From this the wine production began slowly stretching to other regions in Argentina.
Before Argentinạ€™s wine became exported to other countries 90% of Argentinean wine was said to be domestically consumed and that the wine makers where only interested in the quantities of wine in which they produced rather than the quality. Therefore the wine was unexportable. Before the 1990̣€™s Argentina produced more wine than any country outside Europe. Due to an increase in the desire to export more wine the winemakers began to become more interested in the quality of wine in which they produced and during the 1990̣€™s the wine began to be exported to other countries, and from this Argentine wine is still today growing in popularity.
Argentine Malbec is today the most widely planted grape across the country. While French Malbec production is declining, Argentina Malbec production is growing. Argentina Malbec is different from the French Malbec the grapes seem to be smaller berries, which are in tighter clusters. This is because we think the first cuttings brought over by Pouget and other French immigrants were originally a unique clone of the French Malbec. Due to Argentinạ€™s high altitudes and low humidity, the vineyards areṇ€™t as high risk to fungi, moulds, insects, and frost. From this it is believed that the original French Malbec is said to have become instinct in France due to frost and the Phylloxera epidemic.
The main region in Argentina for growing Malbec is the Mendoza, and the most popular Argentine Malbec is found in Mendoza. Malbec is described as a cross between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Argentine Malbec is known for its deep red colours, fruity flavours and a velvety texture. The aromas that are released from Malbec are cherry, plum, chocolate, coffee, leather, and raspberry, and the flavours include plum, cherry, balsamic, chocolate and dried fruits. When Argentine Malbec is aged in oak, the aging process will release vanilla aromas and flavours within the wine. Malbec creates a great partner with red meats, especially steak.