Malbek is a French wine grape variety of medium ripening period, belonging to the West European eco-geographical group. The leaves of this variety are medium-sized, weakly funnel-shaped or almost flat with edges curling downwards, varying in degree of lobing—from almost entire to deep three- or five-lobed. The leaf surface is reticulate-wrinkled, with the underside having a light web-like pubescence. The petiole sinus is widely open, can be vaulted or lyrate. The flowers are perfect (bisexual), which promotes good pollination and crop formation. The clusters of Malbek are small and medium-sized, have a conical or broadly conical shape, are loose, and rarely of medium density. The berries are of medium size, round, dark blue, almost black, covered with a dense waxy bloom. The berry skin is of medium thickness, while the flesh is juicy and melting, which gives the wine special softness and richness. In agronomic terms, the period from bud burst to harvest maturity is about 141-156 days, making the variety suitable for cultivation in various climatic conditions. The Malbek variety is characterized by high resistance to fungal diseases and high yield. It is widely used for producing powerful wines with characteristic aromas of cherry, pomegranate, chocolate, and leather. Thanks to these qualities and adaptability, Malbek has become widely popular in France, Argentina, and Ukraine. For planting, grafted seedlings of premium quality on rootstock RR 101-14 are used, which ensures good establishment and stable yield.
