How Malbec Became a Global Wine Star
Malbec, once a Bordeaux reject, found its groove in Argentina, becoming the king of reds and BFF to BBQ. Now it's tangoing in Chile, NZ and Canada, with a wink to its Cahors roots. So raise a glass to the grape that went from outcast to rockstar.
Remember that awkward cousin who wouldn't stop tripping over his bootstraps? Malbec was that grape. Struggling in Bordeaux, forgotten in Cahors, it was basically the Rodney Dangerfield of the vinifera world. But oh, how things change. Argentina snatched this underdog and gave it a tango lesson, transforming it into the smooth-talking charmer strutting across international palates.
In the 19th century, Malbec hitched a ride to Argentina with some fancy French friends. Initially, it blended anonymously in the local vino fiesta. But by the 1980s, the party was getting a little thin, and producers, desperate for a new dance partner, rediscovered our boy Malbec. Turns out, the tango is just the right rhythm for this grape. Argentina's higher altitude and sunshine were like magic steroids, pushing Malbec to grow deep, dark, and brooding – think Marlon Brando in red wine form.
