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Varietal: Malbec
Grown mostly in South America, its popularity has made it almost synonymous with Argentina, the wine producing powerhouse which has now adopted the varietal as it's national grape. While many offer bursting juicy fruit including blackberries, cherries, and plums, the grape is also capable of extended oak-ageing adding spice box, tobacco and leather aromas, as well as a richer texture on the pallate. Originally a vineyard neighbor alongside Carmenere (another French expat) in Bordeaux, Malbec is mostly planted in the neighboring regions of south west France. The town of Cahor, just north east of Bordeaux, is probably the varietals most important region in the country, where it's required to make up at least 70% of the blend. Although a simplification, French versions tend to be drier and more tannic, however they can still display great concentration and depth.
Country: Argentina
A source of great value wines, whether they're for everyday drinking or laying down. Malbec has taken off as the predominant red wine grape variety, producing deeply colored fruity wines with good texture and weight. Bonarda, thought to have been brought over from the Savoie region of France is the second most popular variety. Almost exclusively produced in Argentina, Torrontés is the most popular white wine variety. The Cafayete Valley in Salta producing some of the finest examples which typically display distinctive floral aromas. Although a newcomer to the country with just a 1000 hectares in 1990, Chardonnay has taken off with great success and is now the third most popular white variety with 16,000 acres under vine (2012).
Region: Mendoza
Mendoza is Argentina’s most important wine region, responsible for two-thirds of the country’s overall wine production. Located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border, vineyards in Mendoza are grown in some of the highest altitudes in the world. Mendoza did not play a significant role in the wine industry until the late 19th century when an immigration trend brought large amounts of Southern Europeans with significant wine knowledge to the region. This elevated Mendoza to world-wide recognition and established it as the fifth largest wine region in the world.
While Malbec grows exceptionally well in this region, Mendoza in also known for producing Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Torrontés.
Sub-Region: Luján de Cuyo
A subregion in the upper section of the Mendoza valley it produces exceptional fruit mainly from Malbec. The lower rainfall and temperatures due to the higher elevation places the vines under greater strain, forcing a lower yield of more concentrated fruit.
Type: Red
Red wine is wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties. The color of red differs based on the grapes variety or varieties used.
Interestingly, black grapes yield a juice that is greenish-white. The actual red color comes from anthocyan pigments (also called anthocyanins) from the skin of the grape (exceptions are the relatively uncommon teinturier varieties, which produce a red colored juice). Most of the production centers around the extraction of color and flavor from the grape skin.