Malbec, or at least Malbec from Argentina, is a HOT category today, and it has steadily grown over the last few years from basically nothing into an important region for us. Ever wonder why? I sure do…I wonder all the time about things like Malbec, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc…especially since all three are strong areas, but only from one particular region. And in all three examples, the hot region is NOT the classic region, but a recent (if you can consider the last 10-20 years recent?) sensation. I find it odd that Australia chose Shiraz, New Zealand chose Sauvignon Blanc, and Argentina chose Malbec to bring to the U.S. market to showcase the fact that they were now in the wine-export game—especially when everyone in the industry here in the good ‘ol US of A knew darn well that Americans didn’t appreciate the Sauvignon Blanc from France or California, or the Syrah from the Rhone Valley in France, or the Malbec from the little village of Cahors in sleepy S. Western France!

So, how can you explain their success? I can’t! I like these New World wines well enough, but I like examples from the classic regions even better. I worship Rhone reds, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Bordeaux Blanc and the red wines of Cahors, although to be honest, not many people do. Maybe it remains our little secret? Maybe the ‘old-world’ flavors don’t appeal to the ‘fruit-in-your-face’ consumer who seek out the fruit and eschew the acidity or elegance? If I knew, I would predict the next big thing and retire comfortably… I sure as shooting would not have predicted the success of these three wines. I do know one thing for sure; I think—I am certainly ‘old school’ when it comes to my taste in wine.

Oh, yeah… I also love red Burgundy, so don’t get me started on Pinot Noir…