International Malbec Day

There is something special about drinking a glass of red wine you love; it's like it warms your soul. April may be known for its well-known holidays, April Fools and Earth Day, but it's also home to one of our favorite holidays on April 17th—International Malbec Day! You've come to the right place if you love drinking a glass of dry, smooth, and fruity Malbec!

The History

Malbec originated in South-West France, but it is most commonly grown in Argentina today. A French agronomist named Michel Aimé Pouget brought the grape varietal to Argentina in the mid-1800s to enhance the quality of Argentinian wine. Today, Argentina is the number one Malbec producer globally, exporting to 119 countries. Malbec, home to Argentina, is grown at the highest altitude points in the world, up to 11,480 feet above sea level. This grape variety is known to be one of the hardest to grow due to its poor resistance to freezing temperatures, pests, and the need for continuous sunlight and heat. The taste of Malbec is unique compared to similar red wines, with notes of coffee, vanilla, leather, tobacco, black pepper, and sometimes meaty or smokiness. Most Malbec wines have medium to high acidity, full body, moderate tannins, dryness, and an alcohol level of 13-15%.

Interesting facts

Malbec is generally healthier to drink than other wines due to its high level of polyphenols and antioxidants that can prevent cell damage and lower inflammation. When this grape is grown at high altitudes, it has thicker skin and a more intense inky purple color; in contrast, it has thinner skin and a bluish-purple color at lower altitudes. This wine is well accompanied with grilled steak, flavorful cheeses, and even rich chocolate desserts. Malbec can be an easy-drinking wine as well as an aged wine. It matures over time and develops a rich texture, intricate layers, and a long-lasting finish.

Our favorites

At He Wines She Dines, we pride ourselves on finding some of the best wines to offer our customers. In honor of this holiday, we want to share our favorite Malbecs we provide on our website. The first is the Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Mendoza Malbec 2018. This Malbec is lush and brilliantly intense, with a rich, full palate of black-fruit flavors, hints of spice and black pepper, and a long, intense, pure fruit finish. The nose has aromas of cherries, plums, cloves, vanilla, and a hint of smoke. This wine would perfectly pair with a cheese board. Our absolute favorite Malbec that we offer is the Caymus Red Schooner Voyage 11 Malbec 2021. Grapes for this Malbec are grown in the Andes Mountains of Argentina, then chilled and transported by ocean voyage to Caymus, where we use our winemaking techniques to create a dense, dark, and supple style. This Malbec is strikingly smooth, with scents and flavors of dark fruit and fine, textural tannins. This wine would pair perfectly with a steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus and finish with a decadent chocolate cake for dessert.