Buenos Dias! And a good day it was celebrating fine culture, finer food, and the finest wine at Gauchito Gil’s Malbec World Day at Carriageworks.
Legend has it that Gauchito Gil was a good-hearted outlaw. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, this Argentinean Robin Hood-like character has garnered a cult-like following and paradoxically became a saint. A saint of thieves, of course. So it only seems fitting to call Australia a ‘wine gaucho‘ (cowboy), since Malbec World Day has been ‘stolen’ from the spiritual home of the variety — Mendoza, Argentina. There is much to thank the wine gods for.
The industrial ground of Carriageworks sets the backdrop for this rich cultural experience organised by Bottle Shop Concepts. Upon arrival every patron was given a Plumm wine glass to keep. With a bottomless glass in hand and a free-reign wine tasting set up, this event was a crowd pleaser as well as a crowd teaser. There were over 60 Australian, French, and Argentinean Malbec varietals to try.
See. Swirl. Smell. Sip.
Repeat.
Our very own four-step pattern to euphoria.
Swept up in the endless tantalising sips, we indulged our palettes to the plump, dark fruit flavours and smoky finish of Malbec wine — the same notes that resonate deeply in the nuances of the culture of Argentina.
The traditional feast includes empanadas from Porteño. There were also alfajores (soft shortbread-like cookies filled with dulce de leche) from Alfamores that would make an Argentinean abuela (grandmother) proud. The food was the perfect compliment to the drops on show.
Enthralled by the live tango, and to the surprise of my plus one, we experienced the sounds of songs that he thought he would never hear outside of South America. The crowd was abuzz. Intoxicated and entertained by the smells, sounds, tastes of a culture that has an evident zest for life.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a first time wine drinker, or a Malbec connoisseur, Malbec World Day is about paying tribute to Argentina’s famed grape. It is a celebration of life. Really, is there any better way to spend an afternoon than tasting your way through a piece of Mendoza?
– Antoinette
Antoinette Milienos is a journalist, freelance writer, musician, and chronic sufferer of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Gauchito Gil’s World Malbec Day runs yearly in Sydney (and Melbourne, and various cities). Follow their website for more info.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Bottle Shop Concepts.
Image credit: Bottle Shop Concepts.
