White grapeSommo grape guide

Torrontes

Torrontes wine guide: what this white grape tastes like, where it comes from, the regions that grow it, and what to eat with it.

Colour
White
Body
Medium
Origin
Argentina
Top region
Cafayate
3
Key regions
4
Pairings
2
Synonyms

Torrontes is a white grape variety, and it traces back to Cafayate, Argentina.

Structurally it lands at medium body, no tannin, medium-high acidity, dry and medium alcohol.

Look for white flowers, spice, soapy notes, floral and herbal.

In the cellar it meets unoaked.

The regions that matter for it are Cafayate, Mendoza and San Juan.

In the vineyard it is marked by early ripening, large berries with thick skins vigour and a preference for continental.

It blends readily with Chardonnay.

Watch for the synonyms: Moscatel de Austria and Torrontel.

At the table it suits thai green curry, grilled scallops, white fish and goats’ cheese on fruit toast with honey.

The structure.

Body
Medium
Tannin
None
Acidity
Medium-high
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
Medium
Flavours
white flowersspicesoapy notes
Aromas
floralherbalspice
Cellar
Unoaked
Styles
dry whitearomatic white

Where it grows.

Blends well with.

Food pairings.

01 Thai green curry
02 grilled scallops
03 white fish
04 goats' cheese on fruit toast with honey

Also labelled.

Moscatel de Austria, Torrontel.

Bottles to look for.

  • Alta Vista Premium Torrontes, Salta, Argentina
  • Alta Vista Vive Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina
  • Bodega Aleanna 'Gran Enemigo' Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina
  • Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes, Calchaqui Valley, Argentina
  • Bodega El Esteco 'Old Vines' 1945 Torrontes, Cafayate, Argentina
  • Bodega El Esteco Blend de Extremos Torrontes, Calchaqui Valley, Argentina
  • Bodega Piedra Negra Alta Coleccion Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina
  • Bodegas Bianchi 'Elsa Bianchi' Torrontes, San Rafael, Argentina

Torrontes: common questions

01.
What does Torrontes taste like?
+
Torrontes tastes of white flowers, spice, soapy notes, floral and herbal. Structurally it lands at medium body, no tannin, medium-high acidity, dry and medium alcohol.
02.
Where is Torrontes from?
+
Torrontes originates in Cafayate, Argentina.
03.
Where is Torrontes grown?
+
The key regions for Torrontes are Cafayate, Mendoza and San Juan.
04.
What food pairs with Torrontes?
+
Pour it with thai green curry, grilled scallops, white fish and goats' cheese on fruit toast with honey.
05.
What else is Torrontes called?
+
Torrontes is also labelled Moscatel de Austria and Torrontel.

Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of Argentina.

Grapes in the app

Scan a Torrontes,
see what is in your glass.

Sommo reads the label, names the grape and the region, and files the tasting note where you will find it again.