Malbec World Day 2013
IMAGINE a global wine-tasting party all focused on a single grape varietal — that is what Malbec World Day is all about. Wines of Argentina, the organisation responsible for the image of Argentine wine worldwide, hosted the third edition of Malbec World Day on April 17.
There are many significant dates surrounding the introduction of any grape varietal to a country. Argentine wine historians believe that April 17, 1853 was a pivotal moment in the history of the Malbec grape varietal in that country, as this was the day that a bill for the foundation of a Quinta Normal and School of Agriculture was submitted to the Provincial Legislature in Argentina. The House of Representatives enacted it as law in the same year. This was the foundation needed to build what is now a major industry in that country.
In 2013, Wines of Argentina decided to highlight Malbec as an artistic and cultural expression and connect it with the communicative force of street art. Alberto Arizu Jr., President of Wines of Argentina, declared: “Wines of Argentina’s 2013 efforts will be focused on integrating the new consumers. For this reason, this year’s edition of the Argentina Wine Awards was oriented to the ‘Next Generation’, and now Malbec World Day falls in line with this theme and establishes a parallelism between street art and the work of winemakers, who are, after all, the artists that take the elements of the terroir and fuse them together to communicate them to the world through their wines.”
Here in Jamaica, Argentine Ambassador, His Excellency Ariel Fernández and his wife Helene Hagen-Larsen welcomed over 120 wine lovers, including wine importers, distributors, restaurateurs, chefs, hospitality industry buyers and other diplomats to their home to taste a wide variety of Malbec wines available for sale in Jamaica.
With 10 major importers of wines in Jamaica, we were very grateful that seven agreed to provide product support and six actually mounted displays and poured some great Malbec. Present and pouring were Betco Premier Ltd., Caribbean Producers Jamaica, Grace Foods, J Wray and Nephew, Lascelles Wines and Spirits and Select Brands. Smith Russell provided Alfredo Roca wines for pouring at the bar. Wines of Argentina, the participating wineries and the Argentine Chancellery considered previous Malbec World Day editions a roaring success, not only because the celebrations strengthened Malbec and Argentina’s international positioning, but also because they led to an increase in sales of this varietal in particular and of Argentine wine in general.
The wines
Guests enjoyed Malbec wines made by Alfredo Roca, Angaro, Catena, Cupcake Malbec, La Celia, Las Moras Renacer, Trapiche and Trivento. A truly great evening was had by all. Here are the photo highlights.
Chris Reckord – Businessman, Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @DeVineWines @Reckord