Originally Posted by
SPG-DL TRAVELER
We have found one from France, yes you read correctly from France where Malbec grapes were first cultivated. Most people think that Malbec originated in Argentina, but the grapes were actually first cultivated in France and are named after a Hungarian pesant who first spread the grapes throughout the French countryside. Malbec grapes are one of the 6 that are allowed to be used in Bordeax wines. This grape can be found in the Cahors region of southern France.
Very True. It is also pertinent to say that the Malbec grape would have never gone anywhere past a 3rd tier blending grape had it not been for its migration to the New World, where the local climates reconverted it into what it is today.
Malbec has established itself as such a relevant grape varietal (in its new World style) that this has forced the growers of the 'original' stuff in places like Cahors to adopt the styles of the colonies..... some growers even resort to including the term Malbec in their labels for export business. Today, if you walk into any retail store that has a Cahors on the shelf, they sell it as Malbec..... only the very well informed Whino knows what a Cahors is all about - and forget the traditional names for this grape like Auxerrois or Noir de Pressac.