Wine of the Week: Torrontés

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Jan 26th 2010 @ 4:00PM

Torrontés is a white-wine grape with a very aromatic nose (think floral and tropical-fruit notes, not too far off from a Gewurtztraminer or Viognier). The grape is grown throughout several provinces in Argentina and is the country's only indigenous white-grape variety. While this wine is more commonly sipped during summer, a glass or two when it's cold out can whisk you away on a mental tropical vacation.

Although each producer's Torrontés will vary, common characteristics are tropical-fruit notes, high acidity and -- as mentioned above -- a lovely nose. If you like Sauvignon Blanc but are in search of something different, this is your wine.

Drink these whites while they're young -- you'll notice the majority of those I've tasted below are from 2009 -- and don't be tempted to age them in your cellar. Because of their high acidity, consider pairing with goat cheese, whether spread on a crusty baguette, subbed in for mozzarella on a homemade pizza or crumbled on a salad. If goat cheese doesn't thrill you, a spicy Thai or Indian dish would hold up to the wine.

2009 Los Cowboys Torrontés, Mendoza, Argentina ($10)
A gooseberry nose carries through to the palate where delightful melon and grapefruit notes mingle. The finish on this Fair Trade certified wine is amazing: mineralities coupled with a delightful, bright structure.

2008 Gimenez Riili Perpetuum Torrontés, La Rioja, Argentina ($8)
In the glass, this Torrontés produces more color than the others tasted; a straw-like golden hue is just as translucent, however. Apricots and white flowers are on the nose, which is the most prominent of the four, and a light, delicate body cruises through to a flawless finish.

2009 Acordeon Torrontés, Cafayate Valley, Argentina ($12)
An interesting orange-zest nose (and again on the finish) makes the rest of the palate disappointing as it's not as zippy or complex as the others. Yet this is a very approachable, easily drinkable Torrontés. White peach and Meyer lemon are the dominant notes in this wine's flavor profile.

2009 Ecologica Torrontés/Chardonnay, La Rioja, Argentina ($15)
Although not 100 percent Torrontés, it's interesting to see what happens when 60 percent of it is combined with 40 percent Chardonnay. The two grapes blend very well together. This Fair Trade certified wine produces a pineapple nose, nice effervescence and tropical fruit-notes, winding up with a bright, lime finish.

Filed Under: Drinks
Tags: argentina, white wine, WhiteWine, wine