Buy Malbec Wine Online — Delivered to the UK

Malbec is one of the world's great success stories in wine — a grape that found its true home far from its origins. Originally from the south-west of France, where it still produces the deep, tannic wines of Cahors under the name Côt, Malbec crossed the Atlantic in the 19th century and transformed Argentine winemaking. Today it accounts for three-quarters of Argentina's vineyards and produces some of the most consistently impressive red wines at any price point in the world.

At Vinissimus, we stock one of the UK's deepest selections of Malbec — from entry-level everyday bottles at £10 to single-vineyard cult wines from Zuccardi, Catena Zapata and El Enemigo scoring 96+ Parker points, and back to the original Cahors expressions from France. It is one of the few places in the UK where you can compare Argentine and French Malbec side by side.

Argentine vs French Malbec — the essential difference:

Argentine Malbec (primarily Mendoza and its sub-zones) is the style most people know: full-bodied, deeply coloured, with ripe plum, blackberry and violet aromas, soft tannins and a velvety texture. Altitude is the key variable — vineyards in the Valle de Uco at 1,000–1,500 metres above sea level produce wines with far more precision, freshness and complexity than lower-altitude Mendoza. The great producers — Zuccardi, Catena, El Enemigo — work exclusively at altitude.

French Malbec (Cahors AOC and surrounding areas) is a completely different animal: structured, earthy and tannic, with dark cherry, graphite and mineral notes. It needs more time in bottle, but at its best it rivals the great reds of Bordeaux for complexity and ageing potential.

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.

✓ Argentine & French Malbec — una de las selecciones más amplias del UK

✓ Zuccardi, Catena Zapata, El Enemigo — productores de referencia mundial

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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.

What does Malbec wine taste like?

Malbec is a full-bodied, deeply coloured red wine with a soft, velvety texture that makes it one of the most approachable reds in the world. Argentine Malbec — the style most people know — typically shows ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with notes of violet, chocolate and vanilla from oak ageing. High-altitude Malbec from the Valle de Uco adds layers of freshness, mineral complexity and a finer tannin structure. French Malbec from Cahors is markedly different: more tannic and structured, with dark cherry, graphite and earthy notes, and a much longer ageing curve.

What is the best Malbec wine to buy?

The best Malbec depends on your budget and what you're looking for. For everyday drinking under £15, look for entry-level wines from Zuccardi or Bodega Alamos. In the £20–£35 range, Catena Malbec, El Enemigo Malbec and Altavista Malbec offer excellent quality. For a special occasion or gift, the Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino (~£100) or Zuccardi Valle de Uco single-vineyard cuvées (90–100 Parker) represent some of the finest Malbec made anywhere in the world. French Cahors Malbec from Château du Cédre or Château de Gaudou offers a fascinating alternative for those who know Argentine Malbec well.

Is Malbec a good wine for a beginner?

Yes — Argentine Malbec is one of the best introductions to red wine for a beginner. It is reliably fruit-forward, smooth and low in astringent tannins, which makes it immediately enjoyable without any particular wine knowledge. The ripe plum and blackberry flavours are easy to identify, the alcohol is balanced, and good examples are available from around £10. It is also extremely food-friendly, which helps beginners discover pairings naturally. As a starting point, try a Mendoza Malbec in the £12–£18 range.

What is Valle de Uco Malbec?

Valle de Uco is a high-altitude sub-zone within the Mendoza wine region of Argentina, located at 900–1,500 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Andes. The combination of intense sunlight, cool nights (temperatures can drop 20°C between midday and midnight) and stony, well-drained soils produces Malbec wines of exceptional complexity, freshness and elegance — quite different from the fuller, rounder style of lower-altitude Mendoza. It is home to the most prestigious estates in Argentine wine, including Zuccardi, El Enemigo and the top cuvées of Catena Zapata.