NOVEMBER 2026
This month features two Malbec – one from Argentina and one from Chile. The story of Malbec and how it landed in South America is below. The wines are quite different which is interesting, but both are delicious, easy-drinking, and perfect for fall. Hope you love them!
Pictured above: harvest at Viu Manent (Colchagua Valley, Chile)
The Crazy, Interesting History of Malbec
Argentina produces more than 80% of the world's Malbec. Here's the story:
Malbec (known as Côt in France) is originally from Cahors (South West France) and was traditionally used as one of Bordeaux's six allowed red blending grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec & Carménère). But France's climate wasn't a perfect fit for Malbec. The winters were too cold, the grape was prone to fungus in the summer, and then the phylloxera scourge in the late 1800's about did it in.
Enter Argentina. In the mid-1800's, the Argentine government decided to upgrade their agricultural system including wine production, and with a decree in 1853 (just before phylloxera destroyed European vineyards from 1860-1890), they brought over cuttings from France with French viticulturists in tow and set about revolutionizing their wine industry.
Here's the reason for their crazy success: Mendoza's vineyards are high altitude (3,000-5,000 ft above sea level) at the base of the Andes with lots of sun, little rain, virtually no pests – and the grapes have thrived! Argentine Malbec is fruitier and smoother than French Malbec which makes for an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing, single-varietal wine.
Malbec came to Chile in the mid-1800's as well, and the grape thrives there too, but Chile wanted to differentiate itself from Argentina, deciding to focus on Carménère and Cabernet, two of the other Bordeaux grapes.
Bodega Calle
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is a high desert plain at the base of the Andes (see photo above). It's arid, and the vineyards in Luján de Cuyo & the Uco Valley are 2,800 to 5,000 feet above sea level which makes it easy for them to farm organically as there are few pests. Also, hot days and cold nights allow for longer ripening time which maintains acidity and increases complexity of flavor.
Bodega Calle is a winemaking facility (pictured below) built by Claudio Erice in 1925 in Mayor Drummond (a neighborhood in Luján de Cuyo located 20 minutes from downtown Mendoza). It is still privately owned, but it functions more like a co-op than an estate. They contract with small growers in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, crafting a unique wine from each individual plot.
Bodega Calle 2021 Alberti Malbec Reserva
Mendoza, Argentina • Reg $17.99 | Mixed Case $14.39
100% Malbec. Native yeasts. 30% is aged 12 months in French oak; 70% is aged in concrete tanks. Plums, blackberries, then mocha. Medium-bodied. Fresh and spicy finish. Totally flexible wine. Pleasant sipper. Great with dinner: hamburgers, pizza, pork chops, grilled chicken thighs & more – including Thanksgiving dinner. You'll be the hit with that wine! Drink now.
We enjoyed it with Jens' meatloaf (pictured below), a cold weather staple at our house. He enhances it with olives, lots of sauteed veggies and then creamy mashed potatoes (or in this case puréed cauliflower) on the side. Perfect with a smooth Malbec.
Viu Manent
Colchagua Valley, Chile
The Colchagua Valley is about 2 hours south of Santiago and experiences a Mediterranean climate = warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. "Low coastal hills allow cool Pacific Ocean breezes to enter the valley and mix with cold air flowing down from the Andes. This creates a large day-to-night temperature swing that extends the grape-ripening period and preserves acidity." Thick-skinned, red grapes thrive, namely Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec.
The Viu Manent vineyards run 650-900 feet above sea level. Catalonian immigrant Miguel Viu-García founded the Viu winery in 1935 with his two sons. Today, the Viu family still owns the business which now has 254 hectares (627 acres) of estate vineyards.
Viu Manent 2023 Malbec Reserva • Colchagua Valley, Chile • Reg $13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
100% Malbec. Winery says a touch of oak to smooth the tannins, which is crazy for the price. Normally you don’t get oaked wine for $13.99.
Aromas of herbs, earth, purple plums, blueberries. Medium-bodied. Great acidity. Lots of complexity for a table wine: plums (red & purple), blueberries, and then blackberries on the finish. Serve with sausages, chicken, pork. We enjoyed with grilled salmon pasta with olives, garlic, green onion, red peppers & kale. Super tasty. Would be perfect with Thanksgiving dinner if you can hold off until then. (We have more if you need another bottle!) Drink now to 2 years.
A Note from Jens:
Great work coming out of South America, and it's fun to see the two countries' take on Malbec, this easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing wine that has a crazy story! Above photo: Bodega Calle winery.
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. We host this tasting so that you can taste and learn about your wines before enjoying them at home.
You'll also be able to taste the Portalis FLAGSHIP club wines. Our November club features – Wines from Oregon – a red Pinot Noir, a white(!) Pinot Noir, and a Gamay. This theme was picked with Thanksgiving dinner in mind.
Hope you can join us!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).