2008 the year of Malbec

World Cahors

2008 the year of MalbecInternational Malbec days

Guest of honour: argentina, in particular the lujan de cuyo appellation

The most reputed oenologists (Michel Rolland since the end of the 1980s, as well as Denis Dubourdieu and Stéphane Derenoncourt) are currently taking an interest in Cahors wine and workingfor wine producers in this region.New investors are coming to Cahors, drawn to this area by Malbec … A grape variety that requires and has motivated the creation of these ‘International Malbec Days’ in Cahors, with Argentina as guest of honour.

More informations :

www.malbecdays.com

www.journeesdumalbec.com

Site officel de l'AOC Cahors

It is a generally accepted fact that Malbec originates from the South-West of France, more precisely from Quercy and the Cahors winegrowing area, where it is known as the Auxerrois.

Malbec, emblematic and historic grape variety of the cahors wine region
and icon of argentinian wines

The total area worldwide planted with Malbec vines is 34000 hectares (source: The Chicago Wine School), with two main producing countries: Argentina (71%) and France (19%, shared between the South-West, the Bordeaux area, the Loire Valley and the Languedoc, where this variety is given different names). Elsewhere, Malbec is not planted to such an extent: a thousand hectares in Chile, some vines in Italy, Spain, South Africa, the United States (California) and New Zealand.

Cahors Malbec

Planted with Malbec for many centuries, the Cahors winegrowing area currently counts 3707 hectares of Malbec in AOC, which represents:
• more than 80% of the area of the Cahors A.O.C, which in total covers 4164 hectares.
• 11% of the total world area planted with Malbec – approximately 34000 hectares.
As a reminder: a Cahors AOC wine must contain 70% Malbec (appellation decree); from 85%, the indication of the Malbec variety is authorised to be marked on the label (community regulation).

Malbec d’Argentine

In Argentina, Malbec is planted on 24000 hectares, this represents two thirds of the total area planted with this variety worldwide. Due to its leader status for production and its excellent exports, Argentina is now largely contributing to the recognition of the variety throughout the world.

2008, year of Malbec
On April 4, 5 and 6, 2008, the UIVC will organise the First event of ‘Malbec International Days’. On the programme: a VIP evening, conference and tasting of Malbec wines of the world held on the legendary Valentré Bridge, which will be entirely covered for the occasion. Guests of honour: Argentine Malbec wines. During the course of these days, a large Argentine delegation, comprised of ten bodegas, and also leading officials of the Mendoza region (Governor of the Province, Administrator of Lujan de Cuyo, etc) will be welcomed and partnership agreements will be signed between the town of Cahors and the Lot department. In December 2007, a delegation from the Lot travelled to Argentina and a letter of intention concerning the Malbec grape variety was signed between the town of Cahors and the Municipality of Lujan de Cuyo.