RAISE A GLASS

Published date13 April 2024
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
Instead, we'll have to "make do" with raising a glass on Malbec World Day, April 17, to celebrate this French grape

What? (I hear you cry.) But malbec is from Argentina, you're saying, wagging your glass.

It's true that Argentina has made this black grape its own. It has the largest plantings of malbec in the world.

The grape arrived in the 1850s, via cuttings from Bordeaux. There's the French connection.

Malbec's home is the south-west of France and its only remaining wine stronghold is Cahors, about 100 miles from Bordeaux. Discover one with Tesco Finest Cahors Malbec (£8.50).

Malbec can be used in Bordeaux red wines, but a severe winter in 1956 killed many vines. Now all eyes are on Argentina.

The great British public loves malbec. Trivento Reserve Malbec (RRP £8.50 Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons and Asda) is the best-selling wine in Great Britain.

It beats ubiquitous pinot grigio and sauvignon blancs to the top spot. The 2021 vintage was even named Great Value Red Wine of the Year by wine guru Tim Atkin MW. It's easy to understand why.

The 2022 vintage is supple with concentrated red and black fruits, with a sweet high note of vanilla from oak ageing.

And so to Dona Paula El Alto Malbec (RRP £15.99, Waitrose). Argentina is known for its vineyards at high...

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