Boise Coop Wine Shop

Is Idaho the next place for great Malbec?

• August 21, 2007

After a tasting last Saturday of many of Idaho’s best wines, I came away even more sure of a theory I have been toying around with for awhile: Idaho will be the next place to grow and produce great Malbec. Malbec doesn’t get much respect outside of France and Argentina, but I have a sneaking suspicion all that could change. After spending about a year and a half in 2003 messing around with Malbec on both sides of the Andes, I felt a familiar association with Argentina. The climate, the altitude, and the soil all spoke of my home in Idaho. When I came back in 2004 I hunted high and low, to no avail for an all Idaho Malbec.

However last Saturday I tasted three wonderful expressions of this varietal all from, I believe, Idaho vineyards (still not 100% sure where the fruit came from as it was a blind tasting). I am excited to see who is doing such a great job with a grape so dear to my heart and palate. Results will be announced Friday, August 24th at the Idaho Wine Festival. I urge you all to go and have a taste of some really wonderful wines we as a state can be proud of.