But say 'Malbec' to a wine lover and they will immediately reply 'Argentina'. It is the great wine of that country and defining examples of the variety are found there. Like Zinfandel and California, or Pinotage and South Africa are linked together, so is Malbec and Argentina which grows more than 70% of the world's Malbec.

Although the variety was first planted in Argentina as far back as 1852 it is only in the past twenty years that it has grown to be appreciated by the outside world.

So what should you expect from a red Argentinean Malbec? Think of plums and blackberries with soft tannins and a dense color. Sometimes I get hints of dark coffee. It goes without saying that you get what you pay for but because Malbec is a name not yet recognized by the mass market you can get good examples very reasonably priced.

French Malbec growers in Cahors noted Argentinean success with the variety. Cahors has been making Malbec wine for 800 years and more than 80% of their vineyard area is planted with the variety. However, as is common in France, the variety is not named on the label, and in Cahors the variety is known as Auxerrois. Cahors wine is not widely known outside the area- when was the last time you drank any, or even saw it on store shelves?

When Cahors noticed Argentinean Malbec gaining international fame, instead of reacting as other French wine regions have done in the past when the New World took one of their varieties and ran with it, they saw it as an opportunity to promote Malbec and their own wines.

In 2008 the French organized the first International Malbec Day in Cahors and invited Argentinean Malbec growers as their guests of honor. Later that year the Argentineans reciprocated and hosted the event in Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina with the French as guests of honor. May 2010 sees the third International Malbec Day back in Cahors. The French of Cahors and the Argentineans, who between them have more than 90% of the worlds Malbec plantings are working together to promote the variety.

My favorite Malbec wine right now is the Primum by Salentein (unfortunately couldn't get any this week) but at $90 a bottle you should expect it to be outstanding (and it is). Close second (and at the bargain price of $36 a bottle) is the Intimo Malbec made by Humberto Canale in the southern Argentinean region of the Patagonia. This is our featured wine of the week at both, Capriccio and Mezzanotte.