An Argentinian wine that has become a unique global phenomenon

Oddly enough, this Argentinian wine which represents its country so well was not born there, but in Bordeaux, France. A journey which began there in the middle of the 19th century would eventually conclude in the southernmost country in the world, Argentina.

Its predecessor seems to have been a very dark and strong-tasting wine, named Cahors after the area of ​​France where it was first tasted. It was then brought to England, attracting the attention of the Tsar of Russia himself, Peter the Great, along the way. Today a similar wine, called kahor, is produced in Ukraine.

In the mid-1800s, the Agronomic Farm was founded in the province of Mendoza, promoted by its future president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. The idea, based on the French model, was to include new varieties and strains of grape to improve the Argentinian wine industry. French expert Michel Aimé Pouget was hired as the Farm’s Director, and it was he who introduced the current Malbec strain to Argentina. The first vines were officially planted on April 17th 1853.

This grape became the soul of an incredible wine, produced in different varieties – light, fruity, woody, sparkling – but never losing its essence, its individuality, and its distinct flavor. Argentina is the only place in the world where Malbec was perfected, becoming an emblem of Argentine wines.

It was at the beginning of the 20th century – with the arrival of European immigrants who used to consume wine regularly, and with the rise of distribution brought on by the arrival of the railroad – that a greater demand arose, which later turned into an export to the entire world.

Malbec Argentinian wine is dark red: an intense ruby which sometimes appears black. On the nose it is floral and fruity, and its aroma hints at coffee, chocolate and vanilla, among other flavours. The vanilla aroma is particularly prominent when the wine has been stored in oak barrels. The flavor of Malbec is warm, smooth, and quite sweet, depending on its age. It is an elegant wine, with a special consistency and great body, ideal for accompanying red meats (preferably grilled), hard cheeses, and pasta. Malbec should not be served cold, but rather at around 16°C to 18°C, a temperature which allows its full flavor to stand out.

Malbec is the wine most consumed by Argentines, and in 2018 its production increased by 33%. It is the most exported wine varietal in the country, worth more than 480 million dollars.

In the latest report of the National Institute of Viticulture, carried out in 2019, Malbec is an export leader, with more than 95 thousand hectoliters exported worldwide. By comparison, Cabernet Sauvignon is next on the list with an export of 11 thousand hectoliters.

Argentina is the world’s leading producer, followed by France. Other countries that produce Malbec include Italy, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States.

Internally, the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan produce more than 91% of the entire country’s output, but Malbec is present in 18 provinces, with vineyards in Salta, Jujuy, La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán, Córdoba, Neuquén , Chubut, Entre Ríos, Misiones, La Pampa, San Luis, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero and Bs As Province, among others. This diversity of regions leads to a diversity of flavors as the compounds of the soil define the flavor of the grape.

• Malbec’s predecessor Cahors, produced in the France region which bears its name, had an incredible impact in England in the 14th century. Henry III forbade his subjects from collecting taxes on this wine upon its transfer to London.
• In Santiago de Chile, in 1841, Sarmiento created an agronomic farm while he was in exile there – it was also directed by Pouget, who happened to be in exile from France, his native country. The protagonists had already tested the vineyards’ resistance to the temperatures and conditions of South America.
• The Malbec alfajor, manufactured by a Mendoza winery, was presented at the 2019 Harvest Festival.
• April 17 is World Malbec Day, an event celebrated around the world, and Argentina celebrates it both within and without its borders.

The Harvest Festival celebrates the harvest of grapes, from which exquisite Argentinian wines of all varieties will later be made, and takes place in March in the province of Mendoza. National Geographic magazine highlighted it as the second most important popular festival in the world, and it is considered one of the most outstanding events on the planet, along with the Rio Carnival.