Argentine Ambassador to Korea Carlos Alberto Arganaraz speaks suring the World Malbec Day at theBanyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of the Argentine Embassy

By Philip Iglauer

Argentine Ambassador to Korea Carlos Alberto Arganaraz hosted a swath of Korea’s wine industry, including local sommeliers, restaurateurs, wine and food critics, hotel representatives and wine importers in swishing, sniffing and swigging fine Argentine wines.

The lucky participants quaffed on a battery of red Malbecs in what the embassy described as the first World Malbec Day celebration in Korea at Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, Tuesday.

It is the kind of recognition that a grape of such a generous flavor and color deserves, Arganaraz said in welcome remarks during the hours-long event that included a tango show by Rosalia Gasso Villar and Alejandro Barrientos from Buenos Aires Wine & Steak Restaurant and a seminar on the South American nation’s signature varietal.

“Wines of Argentina, an organization formed by the most important wineries in my country, recognized the need to give to the numbers of fans of this unmistakable red wine, the opportunity to know in detail their properties and characteristics. This is how the idea to invite the connoisseurs of good wine to focus on Malbec every April 17th and discover its unlimited potential around the world,” he said.

Argentine’s high altitude Mendoza Province produces what are rated by wine experts as among the best wines anywhere.
“(It’s) an ideal environment to develop a wine that has surprised and seduced the entire world,” Arganaraz said.

Arganaraz said he hosted the event here so you people can enjoy the Malbec wines which are sold in Korea and so importers can have an opportunity to get to know about Argentine wineries.

“Also to taste them with the selection of dishes created especially for this occasion by Banyan Tree chef for you to give me your valued opinion,” he said.