The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a wonderful place to visit any time, but attending a party there afterhours on World Malbec Day was truly special. On April 17, Wines of Argentina celebrated World Malbec Day with a walk-around tasting at the Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing of the Museum. Not only was the setting spectacular, but there were tango dancers and live music. The Argentines know how to throw a party!

Tango dancers at World Malbec Day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ambassador José Luis Pérez-Gabilondo, the Consul General of Argentina in New York, spoke at the event and said that Argentina was, for the second consecutive year, the 4th largest exporter of wines to the U.S., both in terms of volume (with more than 61 millions of liters) and in terms of value (with exports reaching $297 million). Malbec happens to be the most popular wine in Argentina. So really, there was a lot to celebrate all around, and I was happy to help.

Tables of wine surrounded the fountains in the museum’s sculpture court.

Even though it was World Malbec Day, there were other varietials available — even whites. I don’t even remember which wineries I sampled, perhaps because I sampled so many. They each just gave me a taste — I swear! Among the wineries represented from Mendoza include: Achaval Ferrer, Kaiken, Alamos Winery, Salentein, Luigi Bosca/Familia Arizu, Renacer, Nieto Senetiner, Doña Paula, Familia Zuccardi, Finca Flichman, La Rural/Rutini Wines, Lagarde, Cuarto Domino, Los Clop Winery & Vineyards, Tamarí and The Vines of Mendoza.

The the Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing really is the best place to tango at the Met.

What a way to celebrate World Malbec Day! This was only the third annual World Malbec Day, but I think it’s the kind of holiday people can really get behind. I’m already looking forward to the fourth annual World Malbec Day, and dreaming of wineries in Mendoza.