When you think of Argentina, the first pictures that conjure up in your mind are those of Polo, Beef Steaks, and Tango. But for wine drinkers it’s the Malbec wine which gets the top spot for a charming red grape with soft and enticing , a slight sweetness on the palate that makes the wine a great match with the spicy Indian food..

First Malbec World Day was first celebrated on April 17, 2011. It was a global initiative created by Wines of Argentina to promote and celebrate Argentine Malbec wines. The date also commemorates Argentina’s formal establishment of modern viticulture. The Embassy has made laudable efforts to celebrate every year in Delhi. This year also it was organised on 16 April, a day before the actual day when the soft-spoken Ambassador H.E. Mariano Caucino celebrated at his residence when a focused gathering of importers, sommeliers, journalists and a few connected personnel,  was invited to sample about 10 labels from about 6 producers, including the current and potential importers.

The first program to promote the national wine industry which was heavily dependent on Malbec was launched in Argentina on 17 April 1853; wine making has come a long way since then. This story of success is in part due to the worldwide recognition that Argentine Malbec has received. Since 2011, every year on April 17 when this iconic Argentine varietal is celebrated around the world. The Embassy of Argentina invites wine journalists, sommeliers, journalists, high officials and others personalities, to get better acquainted with the Argentine culture and spirit, in which wine plays a leading role.

Also Read : Argentine Embassy in Delhi Celebrates Malbec World Day

Ambassador Caucino reflects the Malbec characteristics rather well. His receiving all the guests personally was a sweet gesture like the wine. A short welcome speech indicated that the soft-spoken diplomat is maturing like a good Malbec with soft tannins that keeps his personality in good balance and I can infer that he is very fond of spicy Indian food with Malbec and has a soft and pleasing personality. The South American empanadas were certainly a good match with most of the Malbecs I tasted. today.

The evening took me back to the mega event celebrated on 17 December by the embassy in 2013 at Hotel Oberoi where 12 producers including the famous Matriarch  winemaker Susana Bilbao who also champions the cause of white grapes besides Malbec. A  Tasting by the producers earlier in the evening, followed by a surrealistic presentation of their national dance Tango, created a lot of proper noise and dhol dhamaka but none of the Indian importers and buyers seemingly were invited- as was clear from their absence at both the Tasting and the Tango evening, In fact I felt I was in Mendoza. It looked like a big party of and for the denizens of Argentina only. This event had no producers and limited range of wines because the market for high quality imported wines has practically evaporated in Delhi due to high duties and increasing ‘other’ charges and only quaffable wines like AG, Trapiche and a label imported by Hema Connoisseurs in Delhi.

Also Read : Argentina Celebrates Malbec World Day in Delhi

Agreeing with me, Ana Colombo of the Argentina Embassy, who had been instrumental in arranging the wines and the invitee list, said she wanted to invite fewer people who could taste all the wines and help in promoting the delicious Malbecs due to affordable price points and so the guests could remain focused. I think it was a successful World Malbec Day where one could taste all the wines

I tended to agree with Ana and the Ambassador who was a perfect host. Salud! Cheers!! Jai Ho!!!

Subhash Arora