Malbec is a purple wine grape dating back to the 16th century in the Cahors region of southwestern France. Towards the 1800's it was introduced into the Bordeaux region where it still remains popular today.
The grape was transported to Argentina in the 1920's where it steadily gained popularity. However, it wasn't until the 1990's when they introduced it to the world as a single varietal wine that it became a 'major league' grape. Today the Mendoza region of Argentina is the world's largest producer of Malbec wine.
When drinking, you should expect a dry, medium to full-bodied wine which has both moderate acidity and tannin levels. It is juicy and jammy, often with a hint of vanilla, and is well known for being a smooth wine.
Warn climates, such as Argentina and Chile, produce wines with a dark, fruity nose with a blackcurrant and red cherry palate, whereas cooler climates often display blackcurrant and plum flavours, typified by the French style of Malbec.