Torrontés
Torrontés | |
---|---|
Grape (Vitis) | |
Color of berry skin | Blanc |
Species | Vitis vinifera |
Also called | Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino, Torrontés Mendocino, Torrontel, and other synonyms |
Notable regions | Argentina |
Torrontés is a white
The three grapes are relatively similar but do have some noticeable differences. Torrontés Riojano and Torrontés Sanjuanino both tend to have large loose bunches of pale grapes while Torrontés Mendocino, however, has smaller, tighter bunches of darker yellow grapes. Torrontés Riojano is the most aromatic of the three, with aromas reminiscent of
Around 8,700 hectares (21,000 acres) in Argentina have been planted with Torrontés Riojano, and 4,850 hectares (12,000 acres) with Torrontés Sanjuanino. Plantings in the very high altitudes (1700m+) of the
History and relation to other grapes
Recent research using
For many years it was believed that the Torrontés of South America was the same variety as the Torrontés grape from
There is also a less common red wine grape called Torrontés, which is also known under the synonyms Tarrantes and Turrundos.[11]
Wine regions
Torrontés is grown throughout Argentina and its acreage is steadily increasing. Part of its increase in numbers comes from the increase in Argentine wine exportation where the grape has found considerable success in the
The different Torrontés varieties have developed niche in different areas of Argentina. Torrontés Riojano is widely grown in the
In the arid
Outside of Argentina
Torrontés is grown in
According to wine expert Oz Clarke, most plantings of Torrontés in Chile are Torrontés Riojano and the grape is primarily used in the production of the Chilean brandy, pisco.[3]
Torrontes is also grown in Samaipata, Bolivia.[12]
Spanish Torrontés
While DNA evidence shows that there is probably no relationship between the Galician variety of Torrontés and the South American variety, consumers may still see Spanish wine labeled as Torrontés from the Galician wine region of
Wine style
According to wine expert Jancis Robinson, Torrontés has the capability of producing wines of high quality, but its success is dependent on the skill and care of the winemaking process, particularly in maintaining suitable acid levels to balance the wine. At its most ideal, Robinson notes, Torrontés are "wines for early drinking that are not too heavy, are high in acidity, and are intriguingly aromatic in a way reminiscent of but not identical to Muscat."[2] But poorer made examples can come across as bitter and excessively alcoholic.[4]
Wine expert Oz Clarke, also notes the dependency on careful vinification for the quality of Torrontés but also notes that the size of the harvest yield can also play a substantial role. While the aroma of Torrontés is often associated with Muscat, Clarke notes that many examples can be very similar to Gewürztraminer with subtle spice notes mixed with the floral bouquet of the wine. Clarke also notes that the wine tends not to age very well and is often consumed within a year of its vintage date.[3]
Synonyms
The three Argentine Torrontés varieties are known under the following names:
- Torrontés Riojano is also known as Malvasia (cf. malvasia), Torrontel, and Torrontel Riojano.[5]
- Torrontés Sanjuanino is also known as Moscatel Romano, Moscatel Sanjuanino, and Torrontel.[6]
- Torrontés Mendocino is also known as Chichera, Loca Blanca, Palet, Torrontel, Uva Chichera[8] and Torrontés Mendozino.[2]
In Chile, the variety is also known as Torontel and Moscatel de Austria.[2]
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85732-999-6
- ^ ISBN 0-19-860098-4
- ^ ISBN 0-15-100714-4
- ^ ISBN 0-19-860990-6
- ^ a b Torrontes Riojano Archived 2016-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-07-14
- ^ a b Torrontes Sanjuanino Archived 2016-05-11 at the Wayback Machine, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-07-14
- ^ Torontel, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-07-14
- ^ a b Torrontes Mendocino Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-07-14
- Carole P. Meredith, Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 54:4:318-321 (2003)
- ^ Albillo Mayor, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-07-14
- ^ Torrontes, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2010-07-14
- ^ "Region overview | Wines of Bolivia". www.winesofbolivia.com. Retrieved 30 August 2017.