I just got back from International Malbec Days at Cahors.

I have lots of lecture and tasting notes to digest and write up but here are some first impressions.

- excellent organization
- nature smiling; two brilliant days in an otherwise miserable Spring; snowing next day in Saumur!
- superb setting on historic Valentré bridge (covered by canvass awning and becoming quite hot under the bright sun)
- expressions of brotherhood between Cahors and Mendoza
- some interesting lectures, especially from oenologist Nicolas Vivas on the properties of Malbec and some characteristically trenchant and not especially flattering observations from Michel Bettane
- dynamic determination of the Cahors leadership to learn from Mendoza whilst keeping their own character, to exploit better the special qualities and name of Malbec and to market round "Malbec" and "black wine"
- excellent quality of 2005 vintage in Cahors and, more surprisingly, of 2007 barrel samples (crop size reduced by hail and quality enhanced by superb autumn)
- some interesting Malbec dominated wines from Côtes de Bourg and the Loire
- some enjoyable Argentinian Malbec
- clear difference in character between the Malbecs of each of the above regions
- hearteningly few examples of unpleasantly oaky wines
- overall decent to very good standard of wines tasted but, IMHO, only one really outstanding estate, Château du Cèdre.

Further noteworthy wines were tasted on the journey at Issoudun (near Reuilly and Quincy), at Saumur and at my daughter's house in Normandy.

There will be further more detailed notes in the next day or two.

dynamic determination of the Cahors leadership to learn from Mendoza whilst keeping their own character, to exploit better the special qualities and name of Malbec and to market round "Malbec" and "black wine"
- clear difference in character between the Malbecs of each of the above regions

Wow, Tim this is truly amazing. Is there anywhere else anyone can think of in France that as a cohesive region is actually cooperating with another region in another country, especially in - shock horror - The New World?

Could this be one moderately-rated appellation in the much-ignored South-West of France kick-starting a process of dragging the country into the World of Wine?

(OK I know there have been cooperations between Bordeaux and Napa for example, but surely that's different. )

I look forward to reading more about it.

Hi Tim. Just got in from a birding day out! Great summary, look forward to further details. Lucky man and the weather co-operated too. Nice eh.
Believe you had the family with you??

Could this be one moderately-rated appellation in the much-ignored South-West of France kick-starting a process of dragging the country into the World of Wine?

Wink, the answer is probably "no". I think that the circumstances of Cahors opposite Mendoza are pretty unique.

First, there is the history of the Cahors wine business which had really lost the thread until very recently. It was famous for its colour and ability to withstand oxidization until the end of the 18th century, but was always hindered in its commercialization by the jealousy of Bordeaux with its strategically placed port and was virtually wiped out by phylloxera. It has only been raising its head again since the 50s and obtained its AOC as late as 1971. History like this engenders a certain humility which is missing in other French wine regions.

Second came the realisation that their main grape variety, Malbec, is enjoying a spectacular success in Argentina upon the back of which they hope to ride.

Third, the Argentinians have developed some excellent clones with small berries desirable for quality.

Fourth is, I think, a certain empathy between the Cadurciens and the Argentinians, who are both rugby playing Latins.

Last I think that the Argentinians feel that their success with Malbec will not go unchallenged in the New World "by people who play a sort of football which is much rougher than rugby." A sort of alliance with Cahors with its vestiges of Old World prestige may seem to make some sense.

The latest Decanter covers the event. Very beautiful. Makes me want to go.

- some interesting Malbec dominated wines from Côtes de Bourg and the Loire

Oh, do tell!

Sounds like a grand time from a place we Americans don't here a whole lot about.

- some interesting Malbec dominated wines from Côtes de Bourg and the Loire

Oh, do tell!

Sounds like a grand time from a place we Americans don't here a whole lot about.

More coming shortly.

Was Puzelat ("In Cot We Trust") there? I enjoyed his Loire Malbec quite a bit.

I didn't see Puzelat, Brian. Rather unsportingly, the organizers only mention Cahors exhibitors in their catalogue so I cannot check whether he was in fact there nor the spelling of the name of the one I did try; someting like Domaine Sauvette Antan on which I will post notes along with many others.