Malbec World Day returned to India with flair in 2025, as H.E. Mariano Caucino, the Ambassador of Argentina to India, graciously opened his residence to wine enthusiasts and trade professionals on the eve of this landmark day of the Argentine wine industry. This annual celebration has become a cherished tradition, highlighting Malbec’s journey from its French origins to its prominence in Argentina’s wine industry.
A Day Steeped in Tradition
Malbec World Day commemorates April 17, 1853, when Argentine President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento initiated a plan to transform the country’s wine industry by importing French grape varieties, including Malbec. French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget played a pivotal role in this endeavor, leading to the establishment of Argentina’s first agronomy school. While Malbec’s popularity waned in France, it found a new home in Argentina, flourishing in the country’s diverse terroirs and becoming its flagship grape.
Also Read:
A Celebration of Argentine Wines on Malbec World Day 2019
Malbec World Day 2018 Celebrated in India
Malbec World Day Celebrations 2025
This year Malbec World Day was celebrated in New Delhi on April 16 followed by another reception in Mumbai on Apr 17 . I attended the Delhi event that featured a curated selection of Argentine Malbec wines, around traditional Argentine eats that included the classic Empenadas. The enthusiastic staff from the Embassy of Argentina, led from the front by the Ambassador himself, mingled with the guests, looking after each one of them with personal attention.
In his brief speech, Ambassador Caucino highlighted the rich history of the Argentine wine industry and the special place of Malbec in it. He conveyed his appreciation for the welcome that Argentine wines in general and Malbec in particular have received over the years among wine lovers in India.
Some notable wines at Malbec World Day 2025 in New Delhi
AG 47
Region: Mendoza
Grapes: 50% Malbec 50% Shiraz
ABV: 13.1%
Mendoza sits high in the foothills of El Plata Mountain, named by the Spanish for silver. This wine combines the bountiful fruitiness of Malbec with the robust and spicy highlights of Shiraz. It is quite affordable too, being available in the Indian market for approx ₹ 1300.
Estimulo Estate Selection
Region: Mendoza
Grapes: 100% Malbec
ABV: 13.5%
The wine is sourced from selected vineyards in the Uco Valley, specifically Gualtallary, Paraje Altamira, and Los Chacayes in Mendoza, Argentina.
It is a fruit forward wine with an expressive nose, medium body and a delicious palate. The tannins are rounded and you can enjoy this wine on its own but with some savoury food it will be even better. At an approx retail price of ₹ 1200, it is also a great value for money.
Pascual Toso Alta 2021
Region: Mendoza
Grapes: 100% Malbec
ABV: 14%
Crafted from 25-year-old vines in Barrancas, Maipú, this Malbec showcases the richness of Mendoza’s alluvial soils and continental climate. Aged for 12 months in a mix of French and American oak, the wine reveals a deep inky hue with expressive floral and fruity aromas, framed by subtle toasted oak. On the palate, it is full bodied with flavours of juicy berries.
Pascual Toso Reserva 2021
Region: Mendoza
Grapes: 100% Malbec
ABV: 14%
A younger sibling to the Alta, the Pascual Toso Reserva 2021 delivers all the vibrant charm of Mendoza Malbec with a fresher profile.
The wine is bright and clean with a bluish-red colour and a nose bursting with ripe fruit—plum, cassis, and a gentle hint of oak. The tannins are ripe and polished, giving the wine a soft structure that makes it approachable now.
Aniello 006 River Side Estate
Region: Patagonia
Grapes: 100% Malbec
ABV: 14%
This wine hails from the cool-climate vineyards of Mainqué in the Upper Río Negro Valley, Patagonia. Named after the cadastral plot “006,” this estate Malbec offers a strikingly different profile than its Mendoza counterpart with its minerality and elegance. It has a delicious palate with ripe tannins and a vibrant acidity. A must-try for connoisseurs looking to explore Argentina beyond Mendoza.
Advantage Malbec
In India, Malbec wines from Argentina have been largely recognised as having a great character and a good price to quality ratio. Their ability to be paired with a wide range of Indian dishes has also been a plus. This affordability, combined with versatility, has made Argentine Malbec wines a popular choice in India’s fast growing market.
Looking Ahead
As Malbec continues to gain traction in India, events like Malbec World Day play a crucial role in fostering cultural exchange and appreciation for Argentine wine heritage. The 2025 celebrations not only honoured the grape’s rich history but also highlighted its promising future in the Indian wine landscape.
