By Rose Murray Brown for The ScotsmanMalbec has become a huge success story in Argentina, but few could name where this robust red grape originates from. Its homeland is actually in south west France, in Cahors, a now little-known appellation with 10 per cent of the world's plantings of this grape.
Now the French are aiming to make a come-back, with a cleverly labelled wine called The Original Malbec.
"My aim is to make a wine true to its origins, which would appeal to international tastes," says winemaker Pierre Goutenoire. "In the past Cahors' green aromas and harsh tannins from over-extraction have not appealed, so by using cold maceration, restricting fermentation temperatures and chilling in vat to conserve flavours, with half in oak, half in vat - I have aimed to make a fruitier style blend, but with distinct freshness," he says.
Goutenoire has blended three different wines from Cahors' terroirs. The result is vividly fruity, supple, fleshy - with a livelier zest to the palate than you would find in South America. Goutenoire cannot label his blend as AC Cahors, having used three vinifications - so it is a humble Vin de Pays du Lot.
Malbec was first taken from Cahors to Argentina in.. Read the full story
