Torrontes

See Torrontes Wine section in Anuva Wine Store.

History and significance

Torrontes consists of three different varietals, all with different flavors, grown throughout Argentina. The three varietals are Torrontes Riojano, Torrontes Sanjuanino, and Torrontes Mendocino. The authentic flagship white wine variety of Argentina, all three types of Torrontes are possibly originally from Galicia, Spain or Muscat. Torrontes is part of the Muscat family of grapes in the Vitis Vinifera species (see Wine Glossary section in Wine 101).

Torrontes Riojano grows not only in La Rioja, but also in Salta, Catamarca, and even San Juan, and is considered to be the most fine and aromatic of all of the Torrontes varietals. The other two Torrontes varietals are Torrontes Sanjuanino and Torrontes Mendocino. Torrontes Riojano and Torrontes Sanjuanino are genetically more closely related to each other than to Torrontes Mendocino. Genetic differences between the first two varietals include for example Torrontes Riojano’s large, opaque green colored leaves against Torrontes Sanjuanino’s medium-large, deep green colored leaves.

Ideal conditions for cultivating Torrontes

The best climates are cool and dry with a high temperature differential. Salta, in the North of Argentina, has a high temperature differential due to the high altitude. The temperature differential preserves the crisp acidity of the Torrontes. Torrontes normally has high acidity but when vineyard yields are too high, the acidity diminishes.

Torrontes takes on its most favorable characteristics when grown in La Rioja, Salta, and San Juan. Torrontes thrives with extreme temperature differentials, making Northern Argentina, especially Salta, ideal. There are 330 days of sunlight per year in the Salta region, and Mendoza has 300 days of sunlight. Torrontes is produced on 3,700 hectares of Mendoza while San Juan has 3,440 hectares, followed by La Rioja with 2,700 hectares and Salta with 845 hectares. Significantly more Torrontes Riojano is grown over Torrontes Mendocino or Torrontes Sanjuanino.  The Salta region, especially in the Cafayate Valley, has altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level with little rain creating a very refreshing, highly aromatic, and fruity wine with the Torrontes Riojano varietal. Around 13,760 total hectares of Torrontes grows in Argentina.

Torrontes tends to surprise habitual white wine drinkers

The Torrontes varietals tends to surprise habitual white wine drinkers as it has a very floral, sweet aroma yet maintains a nice dryness and acidity in the mouth with a long aftertaste. Argentina makes regular, fortified, and sparkling wines from Torrontes.

Typicity

Very pale with greenish tinges, Torrontes varietals from all over Argentina have very strong floral aromas predominantly of jasmine, geranium, orange blossom, and daisy, with additional tropical and citric fruit scents. Tastes like pineapple, orange peel, lemon, and honey are common in Torrontes. The strong floral aromas of Torrontes may be deceiving, because in the mouth it takes on a much drier personality with a clean but not overpowering acidity. Fresh and light, Torrontes does not require oak aging, and is usually drank very young. Torrontes is a versatile wine, one of the few that can complement Asian food, especially Thai, quite well, in addition to grilled chicken, fish, cheese, fruits, and salads.

Torrontes Mendocino boasts even more fresh citrus than Torrontes Sanjuanino or Riojano. There are also more mineral tinges such as slate.  The Torrontes from Cafayate Valley of Salta is a richer wine with more peach and pear aromas but less acidity than the Torrontes grown in Mendoza.

The Torrontes wines from Salta are known to be some of the best in all of Argentina. Torrontes thrives in Salta because of the unique combination of strong sun and the high temperature differential from the high altitude of the Andes Mountains. Hot days and cool nights create a temperature differential that preserves the acidity of the wine, while in Spain Torrontes usually came out oily or flabby.

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