Pouget arrives in Mendoza in 1853, at the age of 32, with a contribution from the Quinta Normal of Chile, which included “a great deal of plants and seeds, among them several types of grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Malbec.”

A bill is submitted to the Provincial Legislature for the foundation of a Quinta Normal and a School of Agriculture. In this way, Malbec sets root in Mendoza.

Budget cuts lead to the closing of the Quinta Normal of Mendoza. Notwithstanding, Pouget struggles to continue with the project as a private undertaking, and keeps on experimenting with the purpose of adapting the French vines.

French vines are hard-hit and begin to deteriorate inexplicably in the southern Rhône.
In the meantime, Malbec adapts quickly to the varied terroirs offered by Argentina’s rugged landscape and begins to produce better wines than in its original land.

In France, wine production falls to 23.4 million hectoliters, from 84.5 million in 1875, due to the spread of phylloxera.

In 1956, France suffers another setback when a disastrous frost wipes out nearly all Malbec vines. 

A superior Malbec is produced in oak casks and a star is born. Overseas, this causes quite a stir, surprising people everywhere.

As a consequence of a crisis, a large number of vineyards are uprooted, especially Malbec vineyards. The infamous “vine pull” leaves only 10,000 acres of Malbec.

The Argentine wine industry begins to recover in 1990, supported by the rise of Malbec as the star variety. The total acreage cultivated with Malbec scales up from 25,950 acres in 1990 to 40,400 in 2000, to 66,470 in 2008 and 70,425 in 2009. During this 20-year period (1990-2009), increase in cultivated area experiences a 173% growth. Malbec consolidates its position as Argentina’s emblematic variety for reds, leading the national exports that begin a progressive, unprecedented upward trend in 2000.

In 2010, Argentine wine consumption experiences remarkable growth in the United States. Consumption of Malbec increases by an unprecedented 60% in 12 months. US consumers fall in love with Argentine Malbec, attracted by its singular characteristics: vigorous fruity flavors combined with a smooth texture that floods the palate.  

April 17 is chosen by Wines of Argentina to pay tribute to Malbec, a symbol of transformation for the Argentine wine industry and a wine star that shines all over the world.