There are several days designated to help us honor wine this month, beginning with Tannat Day April 14. Malbec World Day is observed each year on April 17, and International Viognier Day is recognized on the last Friday of April, which is April 26 this year.
Though it may feel like these dates are arbitrary or part of some marketing scheme, we can choose to look at them as an excuse to celebrate a new wine or producer – and who doesn’t love an excuse to drink wine, right?
April is a time of exploration of these grapes and the regions and styles of each. So this month, take some time to learn more about these wines of the world.
(Bodega Garzón)
Bodega Garzón is leading the way in quality and sustainability in Uruguay. This tannat is a powerful wine that punches way above its price level.
Tannat Day
April 14
Tannat is seeing quite a rise in popularity lately thanks to the efforts of wine producers in Uruguay, where it is now the “national grape” and the most widely planted variety in that country. Inky and dense, wines made from tannat are powerful with bold flavors and tannins.
Interestingly, tannat has some of the highest levels of polyphenols and resveratrol of any grapes, which leads some to tout its health benefits. But always drink in moderation, of course.
The grape was originally found in the wines of Madiran AOC in Southwest France but has found a new home where it thrives in Uruguay and is also known as harriague, after Basque immigrant Pascual Harriague, who brought tannat to Uruguay in 1870. The wines of Uruguay are celebrated on Tannat Day, as the 14th of April is the day Harriague passed away, leaving a legacy of this grape in his new home country.
Try Bodega Garzón Tannat Reserva 2022, $16.99 at Total Wine (vintages vary). It's dark and inky, with ripe black fruit and spice aromas. On the palate, the wine is full bodied with plum and black cherry flavors, round tannins and great acidity. The finish is fruity and fresh. Overall, a big but balanced wine, and a testament to perfectly harvested fruit, fermentation in cement and a delicate use of untoasted oak for aging.
(Catena Zapata)
“Malbec Mon Amour” is a great read to celebrate Malbec World Day with your glass of Catena Alta malbec from one of the topDOMAINE GASSIER; CATENA ZAPATAmalbec producers in Argentina, Bodega Catena Zapata.
Malbec World Day
April 17
Malbec is surely what comes to mind when someone mentions wines from Argentina. Though it has found a delightful home in the soils and climate of this South American country, this is not the original home of malbec, nor is it the only place in the world to find wines made from this grape.
Originally a grape of Southwest France, like tannat, malbec is the dominant grape variety in the region of Cahors, where it is known as Côt and Auxerrois. In Cahors, the wines usually express a more savory herbal quality, along with black cherry and spice flavors. In comparison, the wines of Argentina and other New World Malbecs are often velvety and fruit-forward, with riper, brighter red and black fruit flavors.
Malbec World Day was created by the Wines of Argentina organization to celebrate the grape and promote the wines of this country. Each year, there are events around the world honoring malbec and encouraging wine lovers globally to enjoy this Argentine specialty. If you haven’t celebrated in the past, now is the time to commemorate malbec’s success in Argentina by opening a bottle on April 17.
Try Catena Alta Malbec 2020, $54.99 at Total Wine (vintages vary).
Bodega Catena Zapata is an iconic winery producing premium malbec with worldwide respect and recognition. This 100% malbec is aged in French oak barriques for 18 months with another 24 months of bottle aging before release. The resulting wine is rich and complex with violet and lavender aromas, ripe red and black fruit flavors, integrated round tannins and a long finish.
International Viognier Day
April 26
Viognier is an aromatic white grape that is famous for its floral aromas, textural, honied characteristics and versatility in style. Its origin can be found in the Condrieu AOC of the Northern Rhône Valley in France, a 100% viognier region and birthplace of the world’s top dry viognier wines.
You can find viognier widely planted in other regions around the world such as Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley in Australia, and Paso Robles, Calif., to name a few places. In the eastern U.S., this grape is also popular across the state of Virginia. Look for Virginia viognier wines by King Family Vineyards, Veritas Vineyard and Winery, and Horton Vineyards at local Total Wine stores in South Florida.
Jacqueline Coleman
Wines made with viognier range in style from dry to sweet with aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, mango, peach, apricot and other spring flowers. Usually, the wines have low to medium acidity and a fuller, round body. Dry viognier is a good pairing for roasted chicken or fattier fish like salmon, whereas off-dry styles can be a perfect match for spicier Asian food and curry.
Try Domaine Gassier Embruns de Viognier IGP 2020, $17.55 at MrDWine.com (vintages vary). Domaine Gassier offers an affordable 100% French viognier which can be perfect as an aperitif with an assorted cheese plate. This is an aromatic, fuller-bodied wine with flavors of apricot, citrus and peach. Fresh and fruity, Embruns de Viognier is a lively white wine that is easy to enjoy. Salud!
Jacqueline Coleman is a wine and travel writer and Star Wine List's ambassador in Miami. She is also a contributor to Luxury Guide USA magazine, a co-editor of WineGuideMiami.com and a regular guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s 'Food, News, and Views’ podcast.
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(Domaine Gassier)
Domaine Gassier produces an affordable French viognier that is a great introduction to the grape.
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(International Viognier Day)
International Viognier Day was founded by Australian producer Yalumba to celebrate viognier wines from around the world.