Torrontes – Argentina’s Best White Wine
October 19, 2010
For the I’ll drink anything but Chardonnay crowd, Argentine Torrontes is a dry white wine that works well as a cocktail, dinner wine or summer picnic sipper.
Head to the section of the local wine shop marked South America and you will see a new trend emerging with Argentina’s best-known white wine, Torrontes. Is it a new varietal? Hardly. But it’s only recently that Torrontes has found a home on U.S. shelves. What is it? Where does it come from? What does it taste like?
Torrontes History
As a former colony of Spain, it is no surprise that Argentina’s Torrontes grape was believed to have been introduced by Basque settlers. Many claim it is a native Argentine grape. According to a 5/28/08 Daily Herald article by columnist Mary Ross, recent genetic testing indicates that Torrontes is a hybrid of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica.
Salta Province – Land of Torrontes
Whatever the heritage of Torrontes, no one disputes that in Argentina the grape expresses itself in a manner distinctly different from anything grown in Spain or in neighboring Chile. Even within Argentina, different growing areas produce varying results. Critics give the highest marks to Torrontes that comes from the northwestern province of Salta.
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Wine writer Katherine Cole’s Oregonian article dated 8/26/08 says the reason Salta province is ideal for Torrontes has to do with high-altitude vineyards that get both intense sun and cool temperatures. In particular, the small town of Cafayate with vineyards over 3,300 feet in elevation produce the most sought after versions of Torrontes. Look for either Salta or Cafayate on the back side of wine bottle labels as the front may not indicate where the grapes come from.
Torrontes Taste
So, what is all the fuss about? A good Torrontes will have an intense nose of flowers and tropical fruits but don’t get confused and think that means it will be sweet. Torrontes is usually bone dry with a light to medium weight, good acidity and a long finish.
Foodwise, Torrontes is delightful by itself on a hot summer day but serious enough to pair well with spicy Thai or other Asian cuisine, tangy cheeses or seafood dishes. At just $10-$16 for most offerings, the price is definitely right.
Read on
* A Guide to Wine Grapes – Important Lesser-Known Grape Varietals
* Hosting a Chardonnay Wine Tasting
* Anything But Chardonnay
Recommended Argentine Torrontes
2007 Bodega Colome Torrontes – Produced by the Hess Collection from the Cafayate region.
2007 Crios de Susana Balbo Salta Torrontes – Produced by one of Argentina’s top winemakers. Grapes are grown in Salta province.
2007 Etchart Torrontes – Produced by Bodega Etchart from the Cafayate region. Watch the label for the word tardio – meaning late harvest. This is a sweet dessert wine. Both dry and sweet versions are available.
The wine shop in Angeles Philippines Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga as well as other wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Subic and Manila are wells stocked with interesting selections of many kinds of wine from various producers covering a wide range of prices. Of particular interest to wine lovers is the depth of vintages of wine available at the wine shop, wine bars and other wine outlets of Yats Wine Cellars in Philippines.
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News and pertinent information about wine trade, wine appreciation, wine shops and outlets, wine and food pairing, wine making, viticulture, vintages, climate conditions affecting wine, new and revived wine regions etc can be found here in this section. Yats wine Cellars is much more than a Philippines wine supplier with a few wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Philippines where clients can buy good wines in Manila, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars is also a rich source of information for the convenience of the growing community of wine lovers, wine connoisseurs and hobbyists in Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila, Subic, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark Philippines can enjoy fine vintage wines in any of Yats Wine Cellars wine shopping outlets, wine bars, nightlife spots, wine shops and wine restaurants.
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Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.
Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
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http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
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