Buy Malbec Wine Online — Delivered to the UK

Malbec is Argentina's flagship red grape — full-bodied, deeply coloured and approachable, with a consistent dark fruit character that has made it one of the most popular red wines in the UK. Vinissimus stocks Malbec from Argentina's top producers — Catena, Zuccardi, Aleanna, Terrazas de los Andes — alongside French Malbec from Cahors, with delivery across the UK.

What is Malbec wine?

Malbec is a dark-skinned red grape originally from south-west France, where it was used as a blending variety in Bordeaux and the main grape in Cahors wines. In the 19th century, it was transplanted to Argentina, where it found its true home in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza. Today, three-quarters of the world's Malbec is grown in Argentina, and the variety has become synonymous with Argentine wine internationally.

The name Malbec is thought to derive from a Hungarian peasant who helped spread the variety through France, though French ampelographers suggest the grape's original name was Côt — the name still used in Cahors and parts of the Loire.

What does Malbec taste like?

Malbec produces full-bodied, deeply coloured reds with soft tannins and a generous dark fruit character. Expect:

• Dark plum, blackberry, black cherry and blueberry on the nose
• Chocolate, coffee, mocha and tobacco on the palate
• A smooth, rounded finish with good length

With oak ageing: vanilla, coconut and sweet spice develop alongside the fruit. Alcohol typically sits between 13.5% and 15%, reflecting the warm, sunny conditions in Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards.

It is one of the most approachable full-bodied reds available — less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, richer and more concentrated than Merlot.

Argentine Malbec — Mendoza and beyond

Mendoza is the heartland of Argentine Malbec, producing wines that range from accessible everyday bottles to some of the most acclaimed reds in the world. The key subregions:

• Luján de Cuyo: one of the oldest Malbec-producing zones, with old vines and gravelly soils producing concentrated, structured wines with excellent ageing potential
• Uco Valley: high altitude (900–1,500 metres), cooler temperatures and rocky soils producing more elegant, precise Malbec with firmer structure and better natural acidity
• Maipu: lower altitude, warmer and more immediately generous — good everyday Malbec at accessible prices

Key producers in this selection: Catena Zapata — the reference point for serious Argentine Malbec — alongside Zuccardi, El Enemigo, Terrazas de los Andes and Alta Vista.

French Malbec — Cahors

In France, Malbec is known as Côt or Auxerrois and produces a very different wine from its Argentine counterpart. Cahors Malbec is darker, more tannic and more rustic — sometimes called the "black wine of Cahors" for its inky colour and firm structure. It needs more time to open than Argentine Malbec and pairs better with rich, slow-cooked meat dishes.

If you enjoy Argentine Malbec and want to understand where the grape came from, a bottle of Cahors is a revealing comparison.

Malbec and food pairing

Malbec's dark fruit, soft tannins and natural richness make it an easy wine to match with food:

• Grilled steak — the classic Argentine pairing, especially with chimichurri
• Slow-braised lamb or beef short ribs
• Barbecued meats and burgers
• Pasta with rich meat ragù
• Hard-aged cheeses — mature Cheddar, Manchego, Pecorino

It also works well with spiced dishes and Latin American food — the fruit weight stands up to bold seasoning without the tannins clashing.

Malbec vs Merlot — which to choose

This is one of the most common questions for buyers choosing between the two. The short answer: Malbec is bolder, darker and more concentrated. Merlot is softer, lighter and more versatile.

For the full comparison — taste differences, food pairings and which suits which occasion — read our Malbec vs Merlot guide.

FAQ

Is Malbec a dry wine?

Yes. Malbec is almost always made dry. The ripe, generous fruit character can give an impression of sweetness, but there is no residual sugar in standard Malbec.

Is Malbec sweet or dry?

Dry. The perception of sweetness comes from the ripe dark fruit — plum, blackberry and chocolate — not from sugar in the wine.

Where does Malbec come from?

Originally from south-west France, where it is still used in Cahors and Bordeaux blends. Today Argentina — specifically Mendoza — is the world's leading producer of Malbec and the source of most bottles available in the UK.

What food goes with Malbec?

Grilled and barbecued meats, slow-braised lamb and beef, pasta with meat ragù, and aged hard cheeses. The Argentine tradition is steak with chimichurri — still the best pairing for a good Mendoza Malbec.

What is the difference between Argentine and French Malbec?

Argentine Malbec — especially from Mendoza — is ripe, generous and approachable, with dark fruit and chocolate notes. French Malbec from Cahors is darker, more tannic and structured, with a firmer and more rustic character that needs time to open.