🍷 Black wine
Also known as: black wine of Cahors, Cahors black wine
A very dark, dense red wine; historically the name for Cahors wine made from Malbec.
Black wine was the old name for the very dark, dense red wine of Cahors in south-west France. It is made from Malbec, known locally as Côt or Auxerrois. This grape has thick, dark skins, so the wine comes out almost opaque, with firm tannins.
The fame of the black wine began in the Middle Ages. It was shipped down the Lot river to Bordeaux and on to England and other countries. In the 18th and 19th centuries Cahors wine was also known in Eastern Europe. Later the region was hit by phylloxera, and revival came in the 20th century; Cahors became an AOC in 1971. The rules require at least 70% Malbec.
The name kagor comes from this wine too. In Ukraine and Moldova it means a sweet, dark church wine, which tastes nothing like dry Cahors, so the two should not be mixed up. Today "black wine" is an image rather than a category in wine law, used for the darkest red wines and above all for Cahors.
How it connects to Wine
🍷 Black wine → → → 🍇 Malbec → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🍷 Red wine
- Where it is made
- 🗺️ French wine
- Related to
- 🍇 Malbec
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Red wine, 📜 Cahors, 🍷 Kagor
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cahors sometimes called "black wine"?
Malbec from Cahors gives a very dark, almost opaque wine, and the name goes back to the Middle Ages.
Is it true that black wine is an official wine category?
Not quite. Today it is more an image than a category, used for the darkest red wines and above all for Cahors.
How much Malbec must a Cahors contain, and what is it called locally?
At least 70% Malbec, known locally as Côt or Auxerrois. Merlot and Tannat may be added.
Similar
🍷 Claret · 🍷 Bordeaux blend · 🍷 Saignée rosé · 🍷 Grower Champagne · 🍷 Banyuls · 🍷 Maury
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.