Chilean Malbec ‘no threat’ to Argentina

Increased plantings of Malbec in Chile pose no threat to Argentina, according to US winemaker and consultant Paul Hobbs.

Speaking to the drinks business, Hobbs, who is known as “the Steve Jobs of wine”, said: “Chilean Malbec would never be a threat as Argentina has such a lead on it.

“Anyone else jumping on the bandwagon just adds further credence as people always look to the source.”

Despite the increasing popularity of Argentine Malbec in the international market, Hobbs, who runs the high-end Viña Cobos in Lujan de Cuyo, believes it is not in danger of becoming a commodity.

“I was terrified of Malbec becoming a commodity and going in the direction of Yellow Tail in Australia, but inflation problems killed off the lower end wines and has….