We’re all aware, I’m sure, of how popular Malbec from Argentina is these days. And deservedly so. But have you tried the wonderful white wine of Argentina yet--Torrontés?

Cultivated in the Argentine provinces of Catamarca, La Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, San Juan and Rio Negro, Torrontés has become the emblematic white wine of Argentina. For all intents and purposes it is a wholly Argentine variety (unlike Malbec which originated in southern France).

What can you expect from this delicious wine? Well, Torrontés has enticing aromas of peach and apricot, and of flowers such as roses, jasmine and geraniums. On the palate it shows pleasant fruit flavors, good structure and acidity, and sometimes hints of honey and oregano. With all those fruit and floral aromas, you might assume the wine is sweet, but actually it is quite dry. And it’s a great pairing for picnic meats, mild- to medium-strong cheeses and seafood, as well as Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisine.

Actually there are three types of Torrontés grapes--Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino and Torrontés Mendocino--though it is the first-named that is the most-planted, the most aromatic and the highest quality. This variety can sometimes be reminiscent of Muscat and Gewurztraminer. All three types belong to the Criollas group of grape varieties--that is, American-born cultivars of the European grapevine Vitis vinifera.

Because traditionally in Argentina many different kinds of grape varieties were planted together it is difficult to trace the exact history of Torrontés. The first record of it was in the 1860’s in Mendoza. Recent DNA profiling shows it to be a genetic crossing of the Mission grape (originally called Criolla Chica) and Muscat of Alexandria. It is definitely not the same grape as the one called Torrontés in Galicia, Spain. There is a small amount of Torrontés grown in Chile (where it is also known as Moscatel de Austria) but this may be the Sanjuanino or Mendocino and/or even the Galician version of the grape, and it is mostly used to make the Chilean brandy wine called pisco. There is also a much rarer red version of Torrontés, sometimes called Tarrantes or Turrundos.

But anyway--hey!--summertime is here in the northern hemisphere: the perfect time to enjoy this wonderful, dry, fruity, floral wine. Torrontés doesn’t age well so you might want to drink it right away--no problem there. (You’ll find the price is right, too!) Just chill it down, pour yourself a decent glassful, sit back and enjoy the sunshine.

Cheers all!

Bill Stobbs, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

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