The Consul General of Argentina in New York, Ambassador Jose L. Perez-Gabilondo  and Mrs Ines Segarra, Director, Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion hosted Malbec World Day at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, which was a spectacular evening of Argentine Malbec tastings, delicious cuisine, and culture that included music, tango, and modern dance performances.

Created in 2011, Malbec World Day, celebrated its second anniversary on April 19, 2012 with a memorable evening at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, as part of several Malbec festivities, with many dignitaries in attendance including the Governor of Mendoza Francisco Perez, Secretary of Tourism and Director of Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion Daniel Pablo Aguilera, and Argentina's 2012 Harvest Queen Wanda Aalininnai.

Ambassador Jose L. Perez-Gabilondo

Consul General of Argentina in New York, Ambassador Jose L. Perez-Gabilondo stated, "The Guggenheim is a magnificent venue which we will celebrate the finest Argentine Malbecs together with art and tango."

Wanda Aalininnai, 2012 Harvest Queen and Edward Nesta

We were among the invited guests to celebrate the tradition of Malbec wines, the flagship wine of Argentina. Brought to Argentina from France in the early 1880s, Argentina is now the largest producer of Malbec in the world, and is the fifth largest producer of wine worldwide, after France, Italy, Spain, and the United States.

Edward Nesta and Debra Argen enjoying Malbec World Day

Brought from France, the Malbec clones successfully adapted to Argentina and the rich, and varied terroir of the large Mendoza region. The striking difference that developed between the Argentine and French clones is that the Argentine clones have smaller, tighter clusters, smaller grapes, a softer skin, and sweeter tannins vs. the Bordeaux clones which have larger clusters, larger grapes, a firmer skin, and more bitter tannins.

Malbec Wine Importer Pouring

Secretary of Tourism and Director of Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion Daniel Pablo Aguilera stated, "Not only vines but also climates, cultures, and people form part of the blend for wine. Wines produced are in tune with the personality of their places of origin. Argentina's wine route is an adventure filled with flavors and sensations, open to all tastes and particularly enticing to lovers of good wines."

Debra Argen and Eric Anesi, Malbec Wine Importer 

With its exceptional wine and cultural tourism, the region of Mendoza has grown 300%, providing wine and food lovers with the opportunity to experience the many Malbec vineyards along the wine routes, enjoy wine tastings, wonderful food, and culture.

Another Excellent Taste of Malbec Wines 

Twenty wine importers presented Malbec vintages for Malbec World Day from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, with each year displaying its own subtleties. Wines presented included Alamos Wines, Aldodón Wine Estate, Alta Vista, Benegas, Branchi, Callia, Caro, Don Miquel Gascón, Doña Paula, Familia Zuccardi, Finca El Origen, Finca Flichman, Gauchezco Vineyard & Winery, Graffigna, Luigi Bosca, Familia Arizu, Rutini Wines, Salentein, and Tamari.  

Among the many wines that we tasted, we agreed that 2008 was an exceptional year for Malbec, wonderfully drinkable now and would age nicely over the next 6-8 years. The wines heralded the Argentine Malbec characteristics of a deep, intense color, heady, aromatic nose, and luscious fruitiness and complexity on the palate. The other vintages, 2009, 2010, and 2011, while very nice and drinkable now, were still young, however would reach their potential with an additional 1-2 years of aging.

Edward Enjoying a Taste of Malbec Wine

Lobster quesadillas, grilled shrimp, smoked shredded duck cakes, wild mushroom spring rolls, and cheeseburger sliders, were among the many passed hors d'oeuvres to complement the exceptional Malbec wines.

  
Hors d'Oeuvres to Complement the Malbec Wines 

Tango Conspiracy, fronted by guitarist Jimena Fama, the band's vocalist, musician, composer, and producer, joined by fellow musicians on violin, keyboards, and accordion, created the quintessential Argentine cultural musical background, that of the tango, seductive, sensual, and engaging, as part of the evening's entertainment, which included exhibitions by professional tango dancers. Watch a video of the Tango Dancers performing to the music of Tango Conspiracy at Malbec World Day on the Luxury Experience Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience.

 
Jimena Fama of Tango Conspiracy and Tango Dancers

The renowned Lombard Twins, Martin and Facundo Lombard, native sons of Buenos Aires, Argentina, now residing in New York City, thrilled the guests with their high-energy tap dance performances interspersed throughout the evening. Watch a video of the Lombard Twins  performing at Malbec World Day on the Luxury Experience Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience.

Martin and Facundo Lombard

It was a most memorable evening celebrating Malbec World Day, and the culture of Argentina. Although started in New York, Malbec World Day will be expanding to 35 countries and 42 cities, with similar celebrations to spread the word about Malbec wines from the Mendoza region. Visit the websites for information on other celebrations.

Debra Argen and Ambassador Jose L. Perez-Gabilondo

Regarding Malbec World Day, please visit the website: www.MalbecWorldDay.com.

Regarding Wines of Argentina, please visit the website: www.WinesofArgentina.com.

See you at Malbec World Day

© April 2012. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.