Originally Posted by
gnaget
I was quite disappointed to find that many restaurants and bars do not have Torrontes. I was hoping to have some with my Pacu but the restaurant I went to only had pretty blah white wines.
I had been exposed to the grape only shortly before my trip because Trader Joe's had a $5 Torrontes and I needed a cooking wine for fish. I thought it was the best $5 white that I have ever tasted.
I only had Torrontes in one restaurant, some semi-fancy place near the busy square in Palermo Viejo (or is that some other Palermo???). The winery was Don David and it was much better than the stuff from TJs.
What's considered to be the creme de la creme of Torrontes? I think it is a remarkable grape.
The reason for the relatively scarce availability of Torrontes is that traditionally, this grape was used exclusively for very inexpensive wines. Over the last 5 years or so, Torrontes has joined the leagues of quality wines, but its still working its way into the market. Some of the best Torrontes' out there (IMHO) are the following:
Colome Torrontes (Salta) **
San Pedro de Yacochuya Torrontes (Salta)
Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes (Salta)
There are a couple of Torrontes' from Mendoza, but Im not too crazy about those. I share your enthusiasm for Torrontes, its a new exciting grape that will help open new markets for Argentine wines.