Two Torrontes Wines to Tango

[Melanie Wong]

With friends on Saturday evening we enjoyed a couple of Torrontes wines from Argentina out on the patio before dinner. These aren't wines to obsess over, but they were refreshing and had more character than other examples of this grape (e.g., Susana Balbo "Crios") I've tried to date.

They're both 2005 vintage. The Pircas Negras was more forwardly fruity, flowery and aromatic, but finished a bit short. The 2-2-10Go had leaner fruit with more peppery notes, brighter steely acidity, and a crisp clean finish. For $7 to $9 retail, these were pleasing summer sippers.

Image of the bottles -
http://static.flickr.com/67/204607873...
(and the Pircas Negras label says it's made from organic grapes)

[HeelsSoxHound]

another great torrontes is the la puerta. explosively aromatic--almost gewurz-like... and really nice racy acidity. loads of pear, peach, and orange blossom. 10-12 bucks.

[2top]

My favorite Torrentes is Lotango, Argentina.
Other refreshing Latin American whites I have discovered are:
Vinedo De los Vientos, Gewurztraminer/Chardonnay, Uruguay
Luigi Bosca, Johannisberg Riesling, Argentina, a dry Muscat, Terran Va, Miolo, Brazil and Lurton Pino Gris, Argentina. All at great low prices.

[Robert Lauriston]

You mean Lo Tengo? The one with the lenticular label of the tango dancers? I've got a bottle of that to try.

[2top]

Yes, you are correct. And I must say when it comes to whites I favor dry ones. Another I like is Gran Araucano Chardonnay, Argentina. Tastes of pear.

[2top]

Sorry, Gran Araucano is from Chile. Jacques et François Lurton's Chilean effort.

[Robert Lauriston]

I tasted the Bodgas Norton at WINE the other night, nice gewurtz-llike nose, liked it enough to buy a bottle to try it with a meal. Also picked up an organic Santa Julia at Vintage Berkeley.

Maybe Torrontes is the new Falanghina.

[Robert Lauriston]

The Santa Julia was good. Also gewurtz-like.

[Melanie Wong]

Luckily Torrontes is less expensive than Falanghina!

[Phoo D]

I am fond of Torrontes also. I have liked Bodega Norton's version, and more recently, Quara's - which is grown in an Andean valley at around 6000' elevation. I like them for pleasant sipping and even with takeout Chinese food.

ed