Torrontés

Torrontés is Argentina's only truly native grape variety, a natural cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica that occurred in the Argentine vineyards, probably in the 19th century. It produces intensely aromatic white wines with floral, Muscat-like aromas, flavours of peach and citrus, and a crisp, dry finish. The best Torrontés comes from the Salta region in the far northwest, specifically the Cafayate Valley at 1,700 metres, where the intense sunlight and cold nights produce grapes with concentrated aromatics and balancing acidity. Unlike most aromatic whites, Torrontés is fermented completely dry, so the floral nose is balanced by a clean, refreshing finish. It is the natural pairing for empanadas, humita and the spicy food of the Andean northwest, and it is drunk young, never aged.

Pale gold in the glass, explosively floral on the nose, Muscat-like, with peach and citrus on the palate and a crisp, dry, refreshing finish. Drunk cold and young, it is the perfect white for empanadas and a summer afternoon.

The wine is made from Torrontés Riojano grapes grown at altitude. The Cafayate vineyards, at 1,700 metres, receive intense UV radiation that triggers the grapes to produce the volatile aromatic compounds (terpenes) responsible for the floral Muscat-like nose. The grapes are harvested early to preserve acidity, fermented cool (12 to 15 degrees C) in stainless steel to capture the delicate aromatics, and bottled young without oak aging. The cool fermentation preserves the volatile aromas that would be lost at higher temperatures. The wine is drunk within a year of bottling, as the floral aromatics fade quickly with age. No malolactic fermentation is used, preserving the crisp, clean character.