Côt (Malbec)
Côt (Malbec): Native to southwest France, Côt has been the dominant grape variety in Cahors since the Middle Ages, where it is also known as Auxerrois. It later conquered the world as Malbec, elevated to international prominence by the vineyards of Mendoza in Argentina. Also found in Bordeaux and the Loire, where it is used in small proportions in blends, Malbec epitomises the international reach of French wine.
Côt/Malbec produces intensely purple wines that are powerful, fleshy and generous, with aromas of black fruit – blackberry, blackcurrant and plum – together with violet, liquorice and spice, and a slightly smoky finish that makes the variety immediately recognisable. Its velvety tannins and fine structure give the wines considerable ageing potential. In France, the ‘Black Wines’ of Cahors remain the ultimate reference: intense, gastronomic wines built to age. They are an excellent match for duck breast or cassoulet.
