MALBEC TIMELINE

Known from the time of the Roman Empire more than 2000 years ago.

BECAME FAMOUS IN THE Middle Ages during Queen Eleanor's COURT OF LOVE.

Introduced in ARGENTINA
in the 1850's

In the 18th and early 19th Centuries, Malbec was the most widely planted variety in the Médoc, Bordeaux, home to the Grand Crus; even more widely planted than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Malbec is a very delicate, late ripening variety. It is very delicate to cold weather and lack of sunshine. This is why it adapts so well to Mendoza’s sunny, dry weather.

After the PHYLLOXERA EPIDEMIC in the 1870's which devastated vineyards across Europe, Malbec practically disappeared from France. It was mostly replaced by Merlot, as it ripened earlier.

Malbec Renaissance in the 1990’s by Nicolás Catena Zapata and his Catena Argentine Malbec.

The Catena Cuttings:
First selection of pre-phylloxeric Malbec vines at the CATENA INSTITUTE OF WINE, founded by Laura Catena.