{"id":8638,"date":"2020-06-18T12:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T16:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?post_type=grape&p=8638"},"modified":"2020-06-18T14:03:11","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T18:03:11","slug":"torrontes","status":"publish","type":"grape","link":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/grape\/torrontes\/","title":{"rendered":"Torront\u00e9s"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Torront\u00e9s Triplets<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

(pronounced tor-RON-tez)<\/u><\/p>\n

Torront\u00e9s is Argentina’s sole native grape and might be the perfect viticultural expression for a country whose romantic and sentimental traditions are never too far from a celebration. Although to outsiders Torront\u00e9s may seem like another obscure wine popularized by the wine geek revolution, it has an ancient lineage dating back to the first grapevines planted in the Americas. When the Spanish missionaries arrived in Argentina, they brought them cuttings of Moscatel de Alejandria and Criolla Chica, aka Mission grape for the production of altar wine and planted these varieties side-by-side. Later they crossed to give birth to “The Torront\u00e9s Triplets:” Torront\u00e9s Riojano, Torront\u00e9s Sanjuanino,<\/strong> and Torront\u00e9s Mendocino.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many years no one could tell them apart, probably because they were always planted, harvested, and vinified together. However, through happenstances, they were separated, and Torront\u00e9s Mendocino went to Mendoza<\/strong><\/a>, Torront\u00e9s Sanjuanino went to San Juan, and Torront\u00e9s Riojano went to Cafayate. It was then that their unique traits came to light. Over the years, there have been many different names for Torront\u00e9s that mostly originate from memories of other grapes that reminded Spanish and Italian immigrants of wine from their homeland. In San Juan, Torront\u00e9s was called Malvas\u00eda; and in Mendoza, it was called Moscato d’Asti.<\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> Discover Great Itineraries and Wineries To Visit in Argentina on the Free Winetraveler App<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Torront\u00e9s Tasting Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Today, Torront\u00e9s Riojano is considered the fairest of the Torront\u00e9s Triplets having the greatest potential for making quality wines and gets the most attention. By virtue of its exotic scent, balanced sweetness, and acid levels, it’s the most planted of all the Torront\u00e9s varieties. With a flavor likeness akin to Gewurztraminer and Muscat, this high-alcohol wine is smooth and well-rounded with a medium to full body. It’s also Argentina’s most extensive cultivated white grape with plantings from Jujuy in far north down to Chubut in the extreme south.<\/p>\n

Torront\u00e9s Sanjuanino is the middle child and shares Torront\u00e9s Riojano’s characteristics of large and loose clusters of highly aromatic berries. Best known for its flavors and perfume of rose, apricot, peach, melon, and honey and characterized by minerality and citrus-like acidity. Still, it\u2019s a bit of a wallflower with its primary residence being San Juan, where it\u2019s made into wines of all quality levels.<\/p>\n

Torront\u00e9s Mendocino is considered the black sheep of the Torront\u00e9s family. This could be because it’s uncertain if it’s related to the other Torront\u00e9s varietals, with the debate about its origin as dramatic as is Telenovela. It counts Muscat of Alexandria as a parent, though its other parent is unknown. Compared to the other Torront\u00e9s varieties, its bunches are notably smaller and tighter, and its aromatics are muted. Torront\u00e9s Mendocino is often consumed as table grapes rather than being made into wine. Despite its name, most vines are planted in San Juan and not Mendocino with the next most significant plantings in Mendoza, and the rest in R\u00edo Negro.<\/p>\n

How To Buy Torront\u00e9s<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While visiting Argentina’s wine country, the difference between Torront\u00e9s Riojano, Torront\u00e9s Sanjuanino, and Torront\u00e9s Mendocino is apparent, but when the Winetraveler returns home looking to purchase that fantastic bottle of Torront\u00e9s in the supermarket or online things get dicey. Since all three varietals are labeled as merely “Torront\u00e9s,” without the inclusion of the grapes’ distinguishing second names “Riojano, Sanjuanino, and Mendocino.” This Torront\u00e9s trifecta makes it very important to find out where the wine comes from, and like French wine law, Argentina wine law focuses on terroir. So, to pick a winner, you have to read the labels!<\/p>\n

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“In Argentina, there are three levels of quality: IP (Indicacion de Procedencia) \u2013 table wines which contain at least 80% of grapes from the IP region, IG (Indicacion Geografica) \u2013 higher quality wines are grown, vinified and bottled in a designated area, and DOC \u2013 top quality wines.”\u00a0\u2013 Wines of Argentina\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Torront\u00e9s Terroir<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Torront\u00e9s thrives in high altitude vineyards composed of alluvial, sandy soils with a high percentage of gravel under cold, dry, windswept conditions. As a general rule, look for the following regions for the highest quality Torront\u00e9s: Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Famatina, Tupungato and the Uco Valley.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> 5 Great Wineries in Argentina You Should Visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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No matter which of the Triplets are used in the wine’s assemblage, Torront\u00e9s’ winemaking practices are still evolving\u2014making it very much a work in progress. With some wines made in steel tanks, accentuating the fresh, lively bouquets, and others being aged in oak barrels, adding depth and texture. Torront\u00e9s’ characteristics are diverse yet distinct, ranging from thirst-quenchingly fragrant to full-bodied with a persistent finish arousing impressions of mandarin, cantaloupe, pineapple, orange blossoms, jasmine, rose, geranium, honeysuckle, white-pepper Asian spice, dough, and musk.<\/p>\n

Food Pairing Torront\u00e9s<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Given Torront\u00e9s’ multiple personalities and inclination to masquerade as Malvasia, Muscat<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, Gewurztraminer<\/strong><\/span>, Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, and Viognier<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, when it comes to culinary complements, it’s recommended that you explore and experiment with what region, varietal expression, and style that will suit your needs.<\/p>\n

Here are a few suggestions to try:<\/strong> empanada Salte\u00f1as, Peruvian ceviche or tiraditos, tostones (fried green plantains), sashimi, tuna tartare with avocado and sesame, ni\u00e7oise salad, seaweed salad with scallops, crab and asparagus tart, sea bass baked in coconut milk, salmon with yogurt-curry sauce, spanakopita (Greek spinach pie), falafel with tabbouleh, kung pao tofu, grilled fruits with cream and Tarte Tatin.<\/p>\n

Torront\u00e9s’ <\/u><\/strong>Synonyms<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Torront\u00e9s Riojano is also known as Malvasia, Torrontel, and Torrontel Riojano.<\/p>\n

Torront\u00e9s Sanjuanino is also known as Moscatel Romano, Moscatel Sanjuanino, and Torrontel.<\/p>\n

Torront\u00e9s Mendocino is also known as Chichera, Loca Blanca, Palet, Torrontel, Uva Chichera, and Torront\u00e9s Mendozino.<\/p>\n

In Chile, it\u2019s known as Torontel and Moscatel de Austria and primarily used to produce Pisco.<\/p>\n

Current Countries Producing Torront\u00e9s<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Argentina<\/p>\n

Chile<\/p>\n

Uruguay<\/p>\n

USA<\/p>\n

Notable Torront\u00e9s Producers:<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Argentina<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Areyna Cafayate, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Bodega Colome Estate, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Bodega El Esteco ‘Old Vines’ 1945, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Bodegas El Porvenir de Cafayate ‘Laborum’ Single Vineyard, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Bodegas Etchart Privado, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Catena ‘Alamos’, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Dominio del Plata ‘Crios’ de Susana Balbo, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Finca Quara Reserva, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Kaiken Terroir Series, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Michel Torino Cuma Organic, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Piattelli Vineyards, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

San Pedro de Yacochuya, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

Terrazas de los Andes, Cafayate – Calchaqui Valley<\/p>\n

San Huberto, La Rioja<\/p>\n

Vinas Riojanas, La Rioja<\/p>\n

Bodega Norton ‘1895 Coleccion’, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Bodega Norton ‘Finca La Colonia’, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Bodegas Santa Ana, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Caligiore Grazioso, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Familia Zuccardi Tardio, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Los Haroldos ‘Chacabuco’, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Ocaso, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Santa Julia Tardio, Mendoza<\/p>\n

Familia Schroeder ‘Deseado’ Espumante Dulce Natural, Neuquen<\/p>\n

Alta Vista Premium, Salta<\/p>\n

Andean Vineyards ‘Alma Andina, Salta<\/p>\n

Familia Zuccardi ‘Zuccardi Serie A, Salta<\/p>\n

Filus, Salta<\/p>\n

Pasarisa, Salta<\/p>\n

Bodega El Esteco Elementos, San Juan<\/p>\n

Bodegas Callia Alta, Tulum Valley<\/p>\n

E.S. Vino, Tupungato, Tupungato<\/p>\n

Rutini Trumpeter, Tupungato<\/p>\n

Andeluna Cellars 1300, Uco Valley<\/p>\n

Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented, Uco Valley<\/p>\n

RJ Vinedos Joffre e Hijas Pasion 4, Uco Valley<\/p>\n

Uruguay<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pisano Cisplatino Pequena Reserva, Progreso<\/p>\n

USA<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Silvaspoons Vineyards, Lodi, CA, Alta Mesa AVA<\/p>\n

Learn About These Other Wine Grape Varieties<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Chardonnay<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Chenin Blanc<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Cinsault<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Grenache<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Malbec<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Marsanne<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Nebbiolo<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Petit Verdot<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Pinot Grigio<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Pinot Meunier<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
Riesling<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Tannat<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Teroldego<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
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Written By Jeff Bareilles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeff or \u201cJB\u201d is a native to the San Francisco Bay area and wants to live in a world where wine is served with every meal. As a beverage and food professional with more than 20 years of experience, he\u2019s contributed to The Food Lover\u2019s Guide to Wine; The Pho Cookbook (James Beard Award Best Signal Subject 2018); Unforgettable: The Bold Flavors of Paula Wolfert’s Renegade Life (James Beard Award Lifetime Achievement Award 2018); Manresa: An Edible Reflection; Happiness is on the Plate: Episode #1; Wine Spectator; Wine Enthusiast; The Wall Street Journal; San Francisco Chronicle; and GQ Magazine. When he\u2019s not \u201ctasting\u201d and eating he\u2019s writing about food and beverage or developing recipes in his laboratory (AKA: kitchen).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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