In 2011, “Malbec World Day” was established by Wines of Argentina as the official day to celebrate this illustrious varietal. It translates from the Spanish “Día Mundial del Malbec,” meaning “Malbec throughout the world”. Somehow, the name stuck and continues to confuse English speakers to this day, as most just end up calling it “World Malbec Day”, or “Malbec Mondo” for those who like the alliteration.
#MalbecArgentino is the variety that most accurately reflects the evolution of the Argentinian wine industry. On this day, back in 1853, president of Argentina Domingo Faustino Sarmiento asked (by order of the government) Frenchman Michel Aimée Puget to bring Malbec, amongst other French vines, to Argentina. Pouget continued experimenting with the adaptation of French varietals to Argentina’s diverse terroirs.
Devastatingly, when the phylloxera plague hit France in 1863 it caused many vines in southern Rhone to deteriorate, however it was Argentina, Chile, and Cyrus, that managed to be free from the disease. As a result, Argentina has become one of the only countries to have original Malbec vines of true French heritage, and today South America is well and truly regarded as a wine destination, largely thanks to the development and refinement of the Malbec varietal.
Currently Argentina is the world’s major producer of Malbec contributing a hefty 75%, with over 75,600 acres of vineyards across the country. France is the next primary producer – followed by Italy, Spain, and South Africa – however with approximately 13,000 acres, it pales in comparison. From fruity, elegant, and floral wines, to black fruit, spicy and complex wines, with its range of expressions coming about from the country’s diverse terroir and quality tannins, Malbec is very much a crowd pleaser.
Today Argentina is still synonymous with Malbec, having achieved a direct association with the varietal. Renowned by its diversity, high quality and elegance, it marks a constant innovation in the wine scene worldwide. Every April 17th and throughout the entire month of April, restaurants, venues, and wine experts around the world take part in celebrating Malbec wine, with events, tastings, talks, wine offers, food pairings, and more, paying homage to the renowned grape varietal.
Now go out, buy a bottle of Malbec and raise a glass to toast to this elegant and signature Argentinian varietal!
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