Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon

Both homonymous vines from which these wines are produced are of French origin and part of the Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. However, this is only true on paper, as, with few exceptions, Malbec is no longer used much in Bordeaux, and is generally a declining variety in France.

Cabernet and Malbec wines however have similar characteristics. These are rich, dense, and dark wines, and share a similar aromatic profile. The firm tannins and vibrant acidity of the Cabernet Sauvignon give it a bold, vigorous texture, while the moderate tannins and medium acidity of the Malbec give it a velvety texture.

This article will try to deepen the Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon comparison by analyzing differences and similarities, origins and history, tasting notes, and food pairings to allow you to choose your favorite wine.

Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon

In order to get to know Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon wines and understand their comparison, it is essential to analyze their similarities and differences. This will also help us know how to combine them with food.

Similarities

Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are not exactly two drops of water, but they have many traits in common.

First of all, they are both of French origin, and both have found their second home abroad, Malbec in Argentina and Cabernet in America. Although Malbec is less popular, they are both international varietals and are grown almost everywhere in the world.

The dry red wines produced from these vines have a similar alcohol content and a powerful personality, with a full body and intense and concentrated flavors. Precisely for these reasons, they are perfect wines in combination with meat.

Differences

The differences between these two wines are not many.

Cabernet Sauvignon remains closely linked to its territory of origin where it remains one of the main vines of the Bordeaux blend, while Malbec has found a real renaissance in Argentina and the best wines continue to come from there.

Even from an organoleptic point of view, the differences are just a few. Malbec tends to be a little more seductive and to have rounder and less aggressive tannins, which makes it ideal with less fatty dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, is a bolder wine with a slightly higher complexity and length.

Generally speaking, Cabernet Sauvignon, thanks to its marked tannic backbone, has the ability to age longer.

Comparison chart between Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon

	Cabernet Sauvignon	Malbec
Tasting notes	Exhuberant and powerful. Full and deep with notes of forest red fruits, herbs, tobacco, olives, earthy and balsamic aromas.	Full-bodied and warm, with an ibig structure and aromas of cherries, berries, plums, and sweet spices.
Sweetness	Dry	Dry
Body	Full	Full
Acidity	Medium	Medium
Tannins	Medium to high	Medium
Alcohol	High	High
Age worthiness	5 to 30 years	5 to 20 years
Cost	$8 to $1000 or more	$8 to $200
Food pairing	Red meat, especially grilled and with peppery sauces. Flavorful and rich vegetarian dishes.	Pork, lamb , sausages and red meat, especially grilled. Indian meat recipes.
Serving temperature	15-20°C / 60–68°F	15-20°C / 60–68°F

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Taste and flavor

Malbec

Malbec is an intense and warm wine, dominated on the nose by aromas of red fruit such as cherries, blueberries, berries, and plums, with notes of sweet spices and herbs. With aging the fruit can take on riper nuances, the spices become more relevant, and earthy aromas of roots, licorice, and rhubarb become evident.

On the palate it is bold and sumptuous, intense and velvety, with soft tannins and a mineral finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine with an exuberant personality. The aromatic profile is complex and recalls the scents of the forest: blueberries, currants, blackberries, and then traces of undergrowth, earthy notes, plums, eucalyptus, tobacco, and olives.

On the palate, it is rich, full, and powerful, with firm tannins and a remarkable structure. With aging, Cabernet comes at its best as it loses some of its vigor to become incredibly fine, balsamic, and full of spicy tertiary aromas while maintaining a solid and compact structure.

Origin and history

Malbec

Malbec originates from France where it is also known as Auxerrois and is still widespread in the Cahors area, in the southwest of the country. In the past, it was used in the Bordeaux blend, and still today it is foreseen in the production disciplinary, but cultivated only to a lesser extent.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the Bordeaux wine region, in France and more precisely it has been cultivated extensively and intensively in the Medoc area since the end of the 18th century. It is believed to come from a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Where are they produced and in which styles?

Malbec

Although it is of French origin and is still the main grape variety of Cahors wines, Malbec has found its ideal place in the Mendoza wine region in Argentina and in particular in the sub-areas of Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo.

Here the altitude, the climate, dry and hot during the day, and the basically arid soils, allow Argentine winemakers to manipulate the ripening of the grapes with precision and to prolong the polyphenolic ripening of the grapes until the last possible moment, obtaining highly concentrated wines of amazing intensity.

As anticipated, in France, it remains the most used vine in the production of Cahors, but it is a different clone from the one used in Argentina and the resulting wines have less depth and more rustic character.

It is also widespread in the USA (in particular, it is enjoying great success in the wine region of Walla Walla, on the border between Oregon and Washington state), in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and northern Italy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The best Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in the world come from the Bordeaux region, in particular the Médoc area (Haut-Médoc), on the left bank of the Garonne river, where this grape variety finds ideal conditions for perfect ripening.

Cabernet Sauvignon is also very popular in the rest of the world.

In California, it is especially common in Napa and Sonoma Country, where the mixed clayey soils rich in minerals and the hot, dry climate give rise to fruity and full-bodied Cabernets, with different characteristics depending on the sub-areas.

In Chile, the Maipo Valley, characterized by a Mediterranean climate and by a difference in altitude of the vineyards from 500 to 1000 m, is the home of tsome of the best Cabernet Sauvignon of South America.

In Australia, it is present in the Barossa Valley at the southern end of the country where it produces intense and full-bodied wines.

It is also popular in Spain, South Africa, Argentina (Mendoza), and New Zealand (Hawkes's Bay).

Sweetness/dryness comparison

Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are both dry wines, and there is no real difference between the two of them.

Alcohol content comparison

In terms of alcohol, the Malbec wine vs Cabernet Sauvignon comparison does not exist. They are both warm wines, in which the alcohol content is harmoniously balanced with the fullness of flavors and bold structure.

Food pairing

The Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon duo is a carnivorous pairing. The structure of these red wines is ideal for meat, but the subtle differences can be seen in the specific dishes.

Malbec

Malbec is a medium to full-bodied red wine with soft tannins, and therefore, requires pairing with flavorful but not too fatty foods, lean red meats, or lighter cuts such as turkey or roast pork.

It goes well with ingredients such as black pepper, sage and melted cheese and is perfect with creamy mushroom sauces and Indian curry.

An absolutely must try with pulled pork, lamb served with mint sauce, burgers (especially those with blue cheeses) and stuffed mushrooms.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful, substantial wine with character, and vigorous tannins. It is a wine often defined as ‘carnivorous’ due to its flavors and intense personality and in any case suitable for pairing with hearty dishes with a marked fat tendency.

Perfect with grilled or barbecued pork and red meats, and with rich dishes such as roasts, braised meats, game, and flavored meats accompanied by various sauces and aged soft or hard cheeses.

Its aromas also make it excellent with truffles and mushrooms (especially those stuffed) and with hearty vegetarian dishes such as vegetarian chili, eggplant parmesan, Mac & Cheese, and vegetarian burgers.

Wines to try under $50

Anyone who wants to understand what is the difference between Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon must dedicate themselves to tasting various wines. Here are our suggestions to make the most your experience.