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Cahors
South West, France
redOpaque purple
Malbec's original home: darker, firmer and fresher than Argentina's.
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Line up two to four wines the way you'd say them. The guide covers 127 appellations and styles, and spelling doesn't need to be perfect.
Cahors and Mendoza Malbec side by side: structure on the WSET scale, grapes, aromas, drinking window, typical UK price and what to eat with each.
Malbec's original home: darker, firmer and fresher than Argentina's.
Plush, inky and approachable, with violet perfume.
The shape of each wine, then each measure on the WSET scale.
These are close in structure; the differences are mostly in grape, aroma and place.
Cahors: Malbec (Côt), at least 70%
Mendoza Malbec: Malbec, 100%
| Cahors | Mendoza Malbec | |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Malbec (Côt), at least 70% | Malbec, 100% |
| Climate | Warm continental with Atlantic influence | High-altitude desert, big day-night swings |
| Soil | Limestone terraces and river gravels | Alluvial gravel and sand |
| Classification | AOC | GI; sub-regions such as Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley |
| Drinking window | 5–20 years | 3–15 years |
| Typical price | £12–£40 | £10–£60 |
| Food | Duck confit, cassoulet | Steak (asado), empanadas |
| Producers to know | Château du Cèdre, Clos Triguedina, Château Lagrézette | Catena Zapata, Zuccardi, Achával-Ferrer |