Torrontés has long been one of my favorite white grapes; what can I say? I’m a sucker for a good aromatic white wine. In researching for this post, I was surprised to find out the rich history of the Torrontés grape. I assumed it appeared on the heels of Argentina’s sweetheart, Malbec. Turns out (shock!) I was wrong. Torrontés wine deserves its own recognition for the interesting wine that it is. If you’ve never tried Torrontés, grab a bottle at your next trip to the wine shop. It’s delightfully aromatic and an absolute bargain. I’ve also included a Torrontés Food Pairing Guide to maximum enjoyment of Argentina’s best white grape.
Torrontés is pronounced Tor-ron-TEZ
History of Torrontés
Torrontés is a uniquely Argentinian grape. It may seem like you’ve only heard of Torrontés wines in the last decade or so but it has deep roots and a long history in Argentina. It has quite the pedigree; Torrontés is a cross between Muscat of Alexandria, one of the world’s oldest grapes, and Criolla Chica, a Spanish Mission grape. Catholic Spaniards brought Mission grapes to North and South America in the 17th and 18th centuries to make sacramental wines for communion. Torrontés only gained popularity outside of Argentina in the 21st century as wines exports from Argentina increased.
Best Torrontés Wine Regions
Torrontés is native to Argentina. It grows best in high altitude regions to preserve the wine’s acidity. The most notable regions for Torrontés are Salta, La Rioja, Mendoza, and San Juan. Each region grows a mix of the three Torrontés clones but tend to specialize in their namesake ones. Within Salta is the wine area of Cafayete which is considered the best region for Torrontés. Cafayete is a mountain dessert towering at 3,000m above sea level. The wines from Cafayete match the extreme climate; the aromatics and acidity burst out of the glass.
The 3 Different Torrontés Varieties
Bear with me; this gets a little complicated. Torrontés has three distinct clones; Riojano, Sanjuanino, and Mendocino though they are often blended all together. It’s a bit of a Maury Povich paternity reveal. DNA analysis has shown that they may have different parent grapes and have come to Argentina at different times. Most exports simply state Torrontés, so it’s difficult to tell which clone you’re getting. The best bet is to check if there is any regional specific information on the label.
Torrontés Riojano of La Rioja
Torrontés Riojano is the main variety you’ll encounter. Winemakers grow it all over Argentina most notably in Salta. As its name suggests, it hails from La Rioja. It likely came over from Spain and is a cross between Muscat of Alexandria and the mission grape. Torrontés Riojano is the most aromatic of the three. It has a spicy nose and smells like lychee and tropical fruits like passion fruit and mango. Many consider it the best expression of the grape.
Torrontés Sanjuanino of San Juan
Torrontés Sanjuanino is mainly grown in San Juan. It has similar aromatic intensity as Torrontés Riojano but leans more towards pitted fruit like peaches, nectarines, and apricots.
Torrontés Mendocino of Mendoza
Torrontés Mendocino is not likely to grace your wine shop shelves. It’s quite different from the other two and is used mainly for table grapes. It’s not as aromatic as Torrontés Riojano and Sanjuanino and may not share the same grape parents.
What does Torrontés look like?
Torrontés is a green-skinned white grape variety. The Torrontés grape has loose bunches of large berries. In the glass, Torrontés is a pale straw color with silver and green highlights.
What does Torrontés smell like? Aromas of Torrontés
Torrontés is a very aromatic grape. I would classify it as pungent and perfumy. The aromas jump out of the glass. Torrontés smells like roses, jasmine, lychee, apricots, passion fruit, papaya, mango, and cloves.
What does Torrontés taste like? Flavors of Torrontés
Torrontés is a medium-bodied white wine with medium acidity and moderate to low alcohol. Torrontés is made in a range of dryness levels from bone dry to medium sweet. The higher the alcohol, the drier the Torrontés wine will be, so check the label to find the sweetness level you desire. On the palate, Torrontés taste like peach juice, Turkish delights, and lemon tarts.
Torrontés Food Pairing
Torrontés pairs well with a great variety of foods. The biggest determining factor with Torrontés food pairing is the level of sweetness in the wine. Dry styles of Torrontés follow classic food pairings with white wine; fish and chicken. Because Torrontés also leans into sweeter styles, it’s an excellent wine with spicy foods.
Torrontés Food Pairing: Dry Style
The best foods with a dry Torrontés are light and delicate but that doesn’t mean bland. Because Torrontés is a very aromatic white wine, the flavors of the food need to match the intensity. Herbaceous foods and vegetables pair great with a dry Torrontés.
- Sushi
- Shrimp pasta
- Ceviche
- Grilled chicken with greens
- Pancetta/Bacon
- Poke
- Saffron risotto
- Pizza bianco
- Tuna tartare
- Vegetarian empanadas
- Grilled calamari
- Sauteed greens with lemon dressing
- Avocado toast
- Feta and watermelon salad
Torrontés Food Pairing: Off-dry to Medium-sweet Style
When Torrontés is made with a bit a sweetness, it can cool down the flavors of spicy food, but still with lighter proteins like fish, chicken, and pork. A sweeter Torrontés can also match with a fruity dessert as well.
- Chicken Korma
- Mango chicken curry
- Shrimp and pineapple skewers
- Sweet potato fries
- Cajun-style salmon
- Pad Thai
- Jalapeno poppers
- Spicy stir-fried tofu
- Szechuan chicken
- Goat cheese
- Fruit tarts/fruit-based desserts
Best Torrontés Producers
- Bodega Norton
- Susana Balbo “Crios”
- Cantena “Alamos”
- Finca Quara
- Terrezas de los Andes
- Familia Zuccardi
- Amalaya
- Michel Torino “Cuma”
Top Torrontés Picks Available to Purchase Online
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Storage and Serving Suggestions for Torrontés
Torrontés isn’t a white wine that can age. It’s best to drink Torrontés when its young. Keep in mind that Argentina’s harvest is opposite of the Northern Hemisphere so the wines of the same vintage are 6 months older. You’ve got about 2 to 3 good years with Torrontés before it starts to lose its aromas and flavors.
Serve Torrontés in a universal white wine glass. It should be served quite chilled. Do not decant Torrontés.
Are you a Torrontés lover? Whos is your favorite producer? Tell me in the comments.
Great article! Thank you so much!
I loved pairing an off dry Torrontes with Thanksgiving dinner last year. Was perfect with turkey, spicy cornbread dressing, and sweet potatoes. Will be looking for another great pairing this year….
I am surprised no one has ever related the taste of Torrentes to the taste of a really good grapefruit..They are so similar.