In Torrontés, from Argentina (Wines of The Times) the New York Times proclaims that torrontés, one of Argentina’s other blossoming white wines (another is viognier) has begun to take the United States by storm. In 2004, less than 30,00 cases of torrontés were exported to the U.S. In 2010, that number ballooned to 231,000 cases, the Times reports via Wines of Argentina. Still small compared with the 3.15 million cases of Malbec shipped to the U.S. last year, though the growth is impressive nevertheless. I have even seen a few bottles show up at my neighborhood wine store. I have only tasted Malbecs from Mendoza (which might be unrelated to other torrontés grapes in the country), though the Times tasting panel preferred those from the northern regions of La Rioja and Salta. Of the 20 bottles of torrontés they tasted, here are their top 5:

1. Michael Torino Cuma (Cafayete Valley)
2. Catena Alamos (Salta)
3. Crios de Susana Balbo (Salta)
4. Tomas Achaval Nomade (Cafayate Valley)
5. Norton Lo Tengo (Mendoza)

Nicholas Gill (470 Posts)

Writer and photographer Nicholas Gill is the editor/publisher of New World Review. He lives in Lima, Peru and Brooklyn, New York. His work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CondeNast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, and Penthouse. Visit his personal website (nicholas-gill.com) for more information.