Malbec World Day occurs on April 17 of each year.
It was a concept created in 2011 by the association representing Argentine wines to commemorate Argentine President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento's mission to make Argentine wines popular worldwide.
On April 17, 1853, Sarmiento tasked a French soil expert to bring new vines to Argentina. One of the grape varietals that was brought to Argentina to grow was the Malbec grape.
Historically, the Malbec grape was originally grown in France, but in the late 19th century, there was a huge insect infestation that wiped out much of the Malbec grapes grown there. Then the was another frost issue in 1956 that destroyed 75 per cent of the Malbec wines grown in Bordeaux, France.
Over the next century, Argentina continued to grow and improve the quality of its Malbec-based wines to a point where now, over 75 per cent of the global production of Malbec wines comes from Argentina.
The name of the day comes from the Spanish words "Día Mundial del Malbec," meaning "Malbec throughout the world" or Malbec World Day. That is why it is commonly known as Malbec World Day instead of World Malbec Day.
Malbec grows particularly well in the Mendoza region of Argentina.
This region’s hot and dry climate is perfect for the Malbec grape to thrive. With global warming, the importance of the Malbec grape will continue, and we may even see a resurgence of this grape in different regions around the world.
Many innovative winemakers in Argentina are experimenting with growing the Malbec grape at higher altitudes.
Malbec grown at higher altitudes benefits from cooler nights, which produces wines with more acidity and vibrancy of flavours.
Malbec grapes produce a dark, almost purplish wine. Malbec wines have moderate tannins and body with dark fruit flavours.
They will sometimes have tobacco and charcoal aromas and tastes. They are naturally low in acidity, which is why the increase in acidity with Malbec grapes grown at high altitude is appreciated by wine lovers.
I love pairing Malbecs with barbeque food, and particularly with steaks or lamb on the grill.
Even top-shelf Malbec is relatively inexpensive compared to Bordeaux or Italian wines.
In B.C., we get a plentiful variety of quality and price of Malbec wines.
One of the best Argentine Malbecs available is the Catena Zapata Argentino Malbec ($149.99).
This wine has one of the most beautiful labels I have seen. The label pays tribute to Malbec's history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four females who embody different landmarks in the history of the grape appear on the label.
One, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who represents the birth of Malbec (Malbec started to gain prominence when it started to be grown in Cahors, France) and second, the "immigrant," who symbolizes the movement of the Malbec grape variety to the New World.
Third, Phylloxera personifies the death of Malbec in the Old World, which enabled its rebirth in Argentina, and lastly, Adrianna Catena, who represents to importance of the Malbec grape to Catena Zapata. See my review of this wine here.
What am I drinking for Malbec World Day this year?
I am drinking the Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec ($29.98, available at Everything Wine). This is a great example of Malbec grown at high altitude.
This wine will have blackberry, plum, and strawberry, along with aromas of violet and mountain spices
Until next time, happy drinking!
Tony Kwan is a Richmond News columnist. Lawyer by day, and a food and wine lover by night. Kwan is an epicurean who writes about wine, food and enjoying all that life has to offer.
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