Mary in Vancity

There’s something grounding about a glass of Malbec. Deep, bold, a little moody in the best way. This April, Vancouver wine lovers have a reason to slow down and lean into it as Malbec World Day celebrates its 15th anniversary on April 17.

This global celebration traces back to 1853, when Argentine president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento set out to transform the country’s wine industry. He brought in French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget, who introduced new grape varieties to Argentina, including Malbec. What started as an experiment became a defining identity. Today, Malbec is synonymous with Argentina, shaped by high-altitude vineyards, dramatic climates, and a winemaking culture that keeps evolving.

A Complimentary Tasting at Marquis Wine Cellars

To mark the occasion locally, Marquis Wine Cellars is hosting a complimentary Malbec tasting on April 17 from 11 am to 6 pm. The kind of drop-in experience that feels easy but delivers depth. Six wines, each offering a slightly different take on what Malbec can be:

• Terrazas de los Andes – Reserva Malbec 2023
• Luigi Bosca – Malbec 2024
• Catena – Vista Flores Malbec 2022
• Salentein – Reserve Malbec 2024
• Decero Remolinos Vineyard – Malbec 2021
• Kaiken – Selección Especial Malbec 2021

From fruit-forward and velvety to structured and earthy, this lineup gives you a sense of how place shapes the grape. If you’ve ever thought Malbec was just one note, this tasting quietly proves otherwise.

Wine Flight Fridays All Month

If April 17 doesn’t work, the celebration stretches across the month with Wine Flight Fridays. These smaller tastings are focused and intentional, pairing two wines at a time so you can really notice the differences.

• April 3, 3–6 pm: Terrazas de Los Andes Reserva Malbec & Luigi Bosca Malbec
• April 10, 3–6 pm: Catena Vista Flores Malbec & Salentein Reserve Malbec
• April 17, 11 am–6 pm: Full Malbec World Day tasting (six wines)
• April 24, 3–6 pm: Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec & Kaiken Selección Especial Malbec

It’s a simple format, but that’s what makes it good. You show up, taste, ask questions if you want to, and leave knowing a little more than you did before.

Why Malbec Still Matters

Malbec’s story isn’t just about one grape doing well in one country. It’s about reinvention. Originally from France, it found its voice in Argentina, particularly in Mendoza, where altitude and sunlight bring out its signature depth and intensity.

Organizations like Wines of Argentina have helped bring that story to the world stage, but what keeps people coming back is the wine itself. It’s approachable without being simple. Bold without being overwhelming. The kind of bottle you can open on a Tuesday or bring to a dinner and know it will land well.

Event Details

What: Malbec World Day Tasting (complimentary)
When: April 17, 2026, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Marquis Wine Cellars
Ongoing: Wine Flight Fridays throughout April

For more details, visit in store or check online at marquis-wines.com.