OIV - 17/04/2012 - At the OIV headquarters in Paris, the intergovernmental organisation and the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in France celebrated the second Malbec World Day, created by Wines of Argentina, the body responsible for promoting Argentine wines throughout the world. A press conference, followed by a cocktail reception and a tasting of Argentine wines produced using this grape variety took place as part of this event on Tuesday 17th April.
The press conference was presented by the Director General of the OIV, Mr Federico Castellucci in front of around forty journalists specialising in the wine and food sectors. He explained that on 17th April 1853, the plans to create the "Quinta Normal" Agricultural School in Mendoza were adopted with the aim of working with new grape varieties and thus developing national wine production.
For Argentina, this date symbolises the transformation of its wine producing industry and the starting point for the development of the Malbec grape variety, which has become the country's international symbol of viticulture. Today, Argentina accounts for 70% of world Malbec production.
Argentina is currently one of the main wine producing countries and is rightfully a full Member State of the OIV. According to the organisation's latest statistics, it is the world's 5th largest wine producer (15.5 million hl in 2011, excluding juice and musts) with the 8th largest internal market (9.7 million hl of wine consumed in 2011).
Originally from south-western France, the Malbec grape variety is particularly well suited to Argentina's terroir, climate and geographic conditions which have made it possible to grow grapes of excellent quality. Today, over a quarter of the high-quality grapes produced in Argentina are Malbec (30%). 85.9% of the surface area covered with Malbec vines is concentrated in Mendoza.
The expertise of the sector's professionals has produced quality red wines such as Arcas de Tolombon, El Porvenir de los Andes, Luigi Bosca Reserva, Finca La Linda, Luigi Bosca Reserva, Alfredo Roca, Alfredo Roca Family Reserve, 1884 Reserva Escorihuela, Mariflor 2010, Benjamin Nieto, Nieto Senetiner, offered to guests after the press conference, by their respective importers Neca SARL, La Franco Argentine, Les Chais Saint Laurent, The Rolland Collection, Luigi Bosca, Ici Argentine, Le Groupe Thienot and South World Wines.
Download the PowerPoint presentation [FR]
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