Torrontés
Torrontés is a group of white wine grape varieties grown almost exclusively in Argentina, where it has become the country’s most distinctive native white. The group comprises three genetically distinct cultivars: Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino, and Torrontés Mendocino, all traditionally used in the production of aromatic dry and semi-dry wines.[1]
Origins and genetic background
The Torrontés group is unique to Argentina, although the name has occasionally been used for unrelated vines in Spain and elsewhere.[2] DNA profiling has confirmed that Torrontés Riojano, the most widespread and qualitatively important member, is a crossing between Mission (Listán Prieto) and Muscat of Alexandria.[3] Torrontés Sanjuanino and Mendocino are related but show less aromatic intensity and are cultivated in smaller volumes.[4]
Viticultural distribution
Torrontés is planted across many Argentine regions, with Torrontés Riojano accounting for the majority of the total surface area. Its traditional strongholds are in the north-western provinces of Salta, La Rioja and Catamarca, where altitude and diurnal temperature shifts allow aromatic development while retaining acidity.[5] Vineyards in Salta, particularly around Cafayate, may reach altitudes of 1,800–2,300 metres, among the highest commercial vineyards in the world.[6] Plantings are also found in Mendoza and San Juan, although here the grape plays a secondary role to Malbec and other varieties.[7]
Wine style and characteristics
Wines from Torrontés Riojano are typically highly aromatic, often described as combining the perfumed notes of Muscat with a fresher palate.[8] Common descriptors include rose petals, orange blossom, jasmine, and stone fruits such as peach and apricot. Chemical analyses attribute much of this profile to elevated levels of terpenes, particularly linalool and geraniol, compounds also found in Muscat varieties.[9] Despite its aromatic intensity, the wines are usually vinified dry, though off-dry and sweet examples exist. Quality depends heavily on controlling yields and harvesting at the right balance of ripeness and acidity.
Styles and production context
Most Torrontés wines are produced as fresh, unoaked whites intended for early consumption, highlighting their primary aromatics.[10] However, some producers experiment with barrel fermentation or skin contact to add complexity and texture. Torrontés has also been used in sparkling wine production and, historically, in sweet fortified styles, though these are less common today.[11]
Synonyms and naming
While the name Torrontés is widespread in Argentina, it can cause confusion internationally because Torrontés is also the name of several unrelated Spanish grapes, including one found in Galicia.[12] Within Argentina, synonyms such as Torrontel have occasionally been applied, though official regulation by the Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura now distinguishes the three Torrontés cultivars by their precise names.[13]
Significance
Torrontés Riojano has become the flagship white grape of Argentina, complementing the international reputation of Malbec as its red counterpart. Its success rests on its ability to express intense aromatics in the high-altitude vineyards of the Andean foothills, producing a recognisable style that has attracted export markets since the late twentieth century.[14]
References
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012, p. 1096. ISBN 978-0062206367.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015, p. 709. ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012, p. 1097. ISBN 978-0062206367.
- ↑ VIVC, “Torrontés group”. https://www.vivc.de
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 2019, p. 228. ISBN 978-1784724030.
- ↑ Lagarde & Dourojeanni, Los Andes y el vino, 2010, p. 83. ISBN 978-9500732272.
- ↑ Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV), “Variedades—Torrontés”. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inv
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015, p. 710. ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Fanzone et al., “Aroma of Torrontés wines: impact of terpenes”, Food Chemistry, 2012, vol. 134, p. 2381. ISSN 0308-8146.
- ↑ Wines of Argentina, “Torrontés – Argentina’s aromatic white”. https://www.winesofargentina.org
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012, p. 1098. ISBN 978-0062206367.
- ↑ OIV, “Grape variety identification & synonyms (Latin America)”. https://www.oiv.int
- ↑ Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV), “Variedades—Torrontés”. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inv
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 2019, p. 229. ISBN 978-1784724030.