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DRINKING wine is slowly gaining popularity in Malaysia, and Argentina, as one of the top wine-producing countries in the world, is eager to introduce her wines to Malaysians.

ProMendoza Foundation wines division representative Nicolas Perinetti, who was part of the team that organised a wine-tasting event at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur recently, had at least three reasons for wines to grow in popularity in Malaysia.

“One glass of red wine a day is said to be beneficial to one’s health. It helps with blood circulation,” Perinetti said, adding jokingly that Argentinians drank about a bottle of wine a day.

Appreciating fine wine: Rendon (left) and Argentine Embassy secretary Patricio Kingsland holding up glasses of wine. On the table in front of them are some of the finest wines from the nine wineries represented at the event.

Perinetti added that Argentinian wines would suit Malaysian cuisine well.

“Our fare has similarities, such as the use of a lot of rice. We also consume a lot of seafood and some of our food, such as beef, is usually prepared a little spicy,” Perinetti said.

He also said as a country with a big tourism industry attracting a lot of foreigners from countries where wine-drinking was common, having a wide range of wines locally would be beneficial for every one.

“Of course, there is also the fact that it feels like Argentina and Malaysia are sharing our cultures by mixing our wines with the local cuisine that could bring out interesting tastes and results,” Perinetti said.

At the event, nine wineries from Mendoza city introduced a variety of their wines — from table wines to winemaker’s selections — to the guests, whose impression might eventually lead to the import of those wines into Malaysia.

Argentina is ranked the seventh largest wine-consuming country in the world and the fifth in producing wine.

“We have almost 1,000 wineries in Mendoza that account for 70% of the country’s total output. The figure is astounding even by Argentinian standards,” Perinetti said.

He added that the area was located between 32°S and 24°S, where the weather was perfect for planting grapes.

“Mendoza has about 300 days of intense sun a year, which allows the grapes to become ripe and rich.

“The air is very dry, which means that not much chemicals are used because fungal diseases are not prevalent,” Perinetti said.

According to him, the water for the crops comes from the Andes mountains and all these factors result in the grapes being almost completely organically grown.

Last year, Argentina exported wine worth US$858mil, with Mendoza accounting for 90% of that amount.

Among the wineries represented at the event, which was co-organised by the Argentinian Embassy, two — Santa Ana and Trivento — already have a presence in Malaysia.

The other seven wineries, whose products were being tasted for the first time in Malaysia, were Finca Algarve, El Rosal, Finca Don Carlos, La Rural Winery, Eclipse Winery, Vina Amalia and RPB - Baggio.

Also present at the event was Argentina ambassador to Malaysia Maria Isabel Rendon.

“Argentinian wineries are well known for their output and quality. I believe the market in Malaysia is ready for more choices,” Rendon said.