Oh, Malbec—you Argentinian minx. How we love thee. If you aren’t familiar with Malbec, she’s known for her full, dark fruit flavors and smoky, but short finish.
So what is World Malbec Day?
Well my wine-curious compadre, the short and obvious answer—a world celebration of Malbec wine, established in 2011 by Wines of Argentina.
But why you ask? We’re going on a trip back in time to Argentina in 1863.
President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, convinced that Argentina’s wine industry was in dire need of an upgrade, went to French botanist Michel Aimé Pouget and tasked him with bringing new vines from France. One of the famous vines he wrangled over from Europe was Malbec, which then flourished over the course of a decade.
But shortly after, the Phylloxera Plague ravaged the Rhône region. And on top of that, in the 1950s, a freeze wiped out many of the remaining French Malbec Vineyards. Sacré bleu!
Mother Nature can be rough. But not to the Argentinians. Who became the top producer of Malbec, a modern staple in their economy. Here’s to you, Domingo Faustino and Botanist Pouget, who helped establish the Argentinian Malbec on April 17, 1863.
Happy World Malbec Day! To celebrate, we present you with these must-try wines.
La Flor Malbec
The nose is bright with fresh raspberry pomegranate and quince balanced with florals and a touch of vanilla.
Bodegas Caro Aruma Malbec 2012
Earthy and rich with notes of coffee grounds and black pepper. Tastes like you should be sipping it in front of a luxurious cabin fireplace.
Diseno Malbec 2013
You can’t think of Mendoza without thinking of this Malbec. An old vine style delivers complex aromas of sweet, ripe blackberries, violets, and red cherries with notes of toasty vanilla oak for balance.
Luigi Bosca Malbec
One of the most traditional Argentinian Malbecs, this brand upholds Old World style standards of quality. Rustic on the nose with juicy plum and berry flavors.
Norton Malbec
This wine makes a bold and robust first impression. Black plum, oak spice and a toasty finish.
That’s it for now, wine lovers!
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