IN THE COUNTRY OF MALBEC
A grape variety originating from Cahors, Malbec and the terroir of the Lot Valley produce one of the world’s most unique wines, also often referred to as “black wine”.
Minimum 70% Cot N (a.k.a. Malbec or Auxerrois)
Other red grape varieties are Merlot N and Tannat N.
Notes of black fruits and flowers. With age, aromas of truffles and underbrush. A marked presence on the palate of velvety tannins; freshness and liveliness, with notes of liquorice and menthol. To be tasted within 3 years for wines from the 1st terraces, around 10 years for the 2nd and 3rd terraces, or even longer those from the Causses.
Food and wine pairing:
With game, fine meats and meats in sauce. Serving temperature: 16 ° C.
MORE ABOUT CAHORS WINES
1971: Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC-AOP*)
Location: Lot department
Production area: 3 300 ha (8 155 acres)
Harvest: 161 000 hl (16 100 000 litres): exclusively red
Terroir: The Lot valley is divided into three terraces. The first, close to the river, are that of supple and fruity wines. The second gives more fleshy wines. It’s the third terraces, with soils composed of limestone scree from the Causse that produce the richest Cahors wines and the most suitable for aging. Without forgetting the high levels of the ancient Quaternary, alluvial soils covering rocks that have resisted erosion: rarer, they also give very famous wines.
Climate: Oceanic and subject to Mediterranean influences. In the fall, the autan wind blows hot, dry air from the south that accompanies the grapes until they reach full maturity. And in the hollow of the valley, at an altitude of 90 meters, the meanders of the Lot river are a thermal regulator and a permanent water reserve, typical of the terroir of great wines.
* Created by the EU in 1992, the AOP label (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) designates products that have been produced, processed and developed in a specific geographical area, using the recognized know-how of local producers and ingredients from that region. The English equivalent is PDO (Protected Designation of Origin).
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