Malbec from Cahors or Argentina?
More and more American consumers are getting confused over the Malbec issue: is Malbec from Cahors or from Argentina? Basically, Malbec is from Cahors, its birthplace since 800 years. It happened that a French imported some Cahors Malbec in Argentina and that the vines flourished. Argentinian Malbecs are widely available in the US while Cahors Malbec with a more modest production is less represented.
Cahors Malbec is an other expression of this versatile grape, Malbec. Recently there was a passionate and interesting discussion on the Wine Berserkers forum. Enjoy it!
Gary V’s latest video on Cahors Malbec
Today, Gary Vaynerchuk publishes his new video on two Cahors wines:
- 2005 Haut Montplaisir Cahors Cuvee Prestige
- 2000 Château Lagrezette Pigeonnier Cahors
Gary V never made a secret of his taste for Malbec from Cahors. In the last 4 years, he made several comparative tastings between French and Argentinian Malbecs or even a complete show dedicated to Cahors Malbecs as early as 2006:
- The 4 Hour Wine Tasting including 2005 Château Le Cèdre Cahors Heritage
- http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/10/13/3-malbec-wines-from-3-different-places-all-under-10-episode-556/, a comparative tasting figuring Château Gaudou 1733
- Malbec vs. Malbec, with 2004 Origine Cahors
- Cahors, wines of the SouthWest with 2004 Clos Coutale Cahors, 2002 Croix Du Mayne Cahors, 2003 Chat Lamartine Cahors Cuvee Particuliere and 2003 Clos Triguedina Cahors.
A good resource guide on Cahors
If you plan to come to the International Malbec Days in May, make sure you take a few days before or after to visit wineries, historical places or just wander around in the beautiful area. In order to organize your trip, there is a very good on line resource on the Wine Tours France site You’ll learn about great wines, such as Château Chambert, Triguedina or the Domaine de Chantelle. The site also provides tips to cycling or walking trips. Enjoy without moderation!
Cahors Malbec on the Lead
The UIVC, the professional wine producers’ body in Cahors, is leading the dance at the moment on the Net. The Cahors Malbecs are also often recommended in a new type of wine guides and also become more and more often part of tastings.
First of all, the UIVC produced a series of interesting videos on their wine and food world. Then, Cahors Malbec keeps being talked about on the Net. Robert McIntosh, British blogger and one of the organizers of the European Wine Bloggers’ Conference, blogged about Cahors wines. The Jacksonville Wine Guide wrote a long article on the history of the Malbec grape but unfortunately didn’t recommend any specific Cahors wines. Too bad.
A recent wine guide, written by Tyler Colman, a.k.a Dr Vino, A Year of Wine, recommended Cahors wines, such as Clos La Coutale, widely available in the US for $13. As the author of the well-respected blog vinography.com wrote, “A Year of Wine presents readers with affordable wine suggestions from some of the world’s least explored wine regions, and Coleman puts the priority not on points but on when, where and with whom you’re sharing your wine experience.” This is the best recommendation for a style of wine, isn’t it?
Last but not least, Cahors wines are more and more often tasted. There was lately a tasting of South Western wines from France: Cahors, Madiran and Jurançon wines were presented by the Borough Wines Importers.
2010, Year of The International Malbec Days
The International Malbec Days were initiated in 2008 by the Cahors wine organization (UIVC) . It was the first time ever that the Malbec grape, rather underrated nowadays, was put on the front page. The initiative was justified by the long and prestigious history of the Cahors wines. Indeed Malbec originated in Cahors, in the South West of France about 800 years ago. For centuries, the Cahors wines were the wines of Kings, Popes and Czars.
This international event comes back to Cahors from May 21st to May 23rd, 2010. The theme of the year is: “Terroirs of Malbec, Malbecs of terroir”. World famous chefs, journalists, experts and winemakers will gather in Cahors for 3 days and help us (re)discover what Cahors Malbec is about.
To register to the Third International Malbec Days.
Cahors Malbec in the News
Cahors Malbec is very much present in the news at the moment. After the Boston Tasting of December 9, we heard some nice rumors. First of all, Gary V - yes, THE Gary V - twitted about Cahors: he loves the wines and feels sorry for theis under rated wine region. Don’t worry, Gary! We’re working on it and soon Cahors will be on all the radars! But thanks to you to be a pioneer.
Then a few wine magazines and blogs kindly answered to the Cahors malbec campaign. The PalatePress Magazine published an editorial on Cahors written by Adam Japko and the banner on the top of the page promotes the video. There will be more on Cahors Malbecs very soon.
International Malbec Competition Results
On November 27, 2009, the First International Malbec Competition took place in France. Among the winners, many Cahors Malbec Wines - as usual.
Gold Medals:
Domaine du Prince, cuvée Lou Prince 2004
Château Lagrézette, cuvée Le Pigeonnier 2005
Château du Cèdre, cuvée Le Cèdre 2005
Château du Cèdre, cuvée Le Cèdre 2007
Château du Cèdre, cuvée GC 2007
Domaine d’Homs, cuvée Les Chevalier 2007
Château Lamartine, cuvée Expression 2007
Château La Reyne, cuvée Prestige 2007
Silver Medals:
Château Saint Sernin, cuvée Varua Maohi 2008
Château de Chambert, cuvée Orphée 2005
Château Lagrezette, cuvée Dame Honneur 2005
Château de Mercuès, cuvée Malbec 6666 2005
Château des Roches, cuvée Le Serment 2006
Domaine Le Bout du Lieu, cuvée Empyrée 2005
Château les Hauts d’Aglan, cuvée A 2006
Château Pineraie, cuvée Malbec 2007
Château Pineraie, 2007
Domaine les Roques de Cana, cuvée Sangui Christi 2007
Clos Triguedina, cuvée Probus 2007
Château Hautmonplaisir, cuvée Pur Plaisir 2007
Métairie Grande du Théron, cuvée Prestige 2007
Château la Caminade, cuvée La Commandery 2008
Congratulations to the winners. This success confirm the qality of the latest vintages in the Cahors Appellation.
Tasting more Cahors Wines in China
Two French wine merchants were invited to Hong Kong to present their range of South West Wines. Cahors was represented by Chateau Cantelauze Le Cotagé 2007. “Château Cantelauze Cahors ‘Le Cotagé’ 2007 (Malbec) (Cahors): Luminous, deep dark red. Cherries, blueberries, spice, a touch of clove and mocha. In the mouth, the tannins are silky and flowery. The fruitiness has melting sensations of violet fruit jelly, accentuating the wine’s flfleshiness”, writes the author of the WineBuzz.hk author. “The Château Cantelauze Cahors ‘Le Cotagé’ 2007 was a bold and strong wine that we felt really worked well, and is definitely worth recommending.”
Cahors wines in China
While still working on increasing their volume of sales in the US, the Cahors wines are also getting very popular in China. A Chinese journalist, George Zhao, spend a full week visiting the vineyards of Cahors and left, convinced that Cahors wines are totally adapted to Chinese taste buds.
This trend is confirmed by the opening of a wine store dedicated to the sale of the wine produced by Henrik, Prince of Danmark and spouse of Queen Margrete. Prince Henrik sells La Cuvée du Prince de Danemark, château de Cayx to France and international markets. Because of the success of this special cuvee, Prince Henrik is opening a wine store in Wenzhou under the name of La cave de Château de Cayx. This is the first of the ten stores Prince Henrik will open in China.
Cahors Malbec wines in VIP airlines lounges
If you’re traveling to or from Paris Charles de Gaulle Roissy airport, you’ll have the pleasant surprise of being able to taste 18 wines from Cahors:
1 - Domaine de Cause, Cuvée Notre Dame des Champs 2006
2 - Château Vincens, Cuvée Les Graves de Paul 2002
3 - Domaine du Prince, Cuvée Les Rossignols 2005
4 - Château Castellas, Croix de Mareuil 2002
5 - Château Croisille, Noble cuvée 2006
6 - Clos Triguedina, Cuvée Probus
7 - Château les Bouysses, 2006
8 - Château de Cénac, Cuvée Eulalie 2003
9 - Prieuré de Cénac, Cuvée La Vierge 2005
10 - Château de Chambert, Cuvée Grand vin 2007
11 - Domaine Les Roques de Cana, Cuvée Sangui Christi 2007
12 - Château de Rouffiac, Cuvée L’Exception 2006
13 - Château Nozières 2007
14 - Château Haut Monplaisir, Cuvée Prestige 2005
15 - Château du Cèdre 2004
16 - Château Eugénie, Cuvée Haute Collection 2004
17 - Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve, Cuvée Les Laquets
18 - Château Gaudou, Cuvée Renaissance 2006
The wines are available in the VIP lounges of over 30 airlines. The management of those companies was impressed by the high quality of Cahors wines and decided to present them to their VIP travellers. The wines are displayed in an elegant plexiglas box enhancing their contemporary design.
