Torrontes Taste Off – Episode #751

October 12, 2009

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes 2 Torrontes side by side and announces the next Vayniac Virtual Tasting Along!

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Comments on this episode(137) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: Lookin forward to trying different types of Beaujolais this fal…” by JasonA
“Torrentes just got served!
QOTD: A few things. Some Cotes du Rhone…” by Don Simpson
View all 137 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2008 La Yunta Torrontes Stelvin ClosureArgentine Torrontes
2009 Simonassi TorrontesArgentine Torrontes

Wines for the Friday Show

2008 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay Central Coast Chardonnay
2007 Healdsburg Ranches ChardonnaySonoma Chardonnay

Links mentioned in todays episode.

137 Responses

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November 13, 2009

JasonA
QOTD: Lookin forward to trying different types of Beaujolais this fall. Especially the grand crus, now that I have found a store that has a few different ones!!

jason
October 18, 2009

Don Simpson
Torrentes just got served!

QOTD: A few things. Some Cotes du Rhones and exploring some other areas of France where I haven’t had too many wines(Corbieres, Languedoc). Also, I took a break from Italy so I’m going to get back on that train soon too.
October 18, 2009

Kevin
QOTD: Anything red. Nice when the weather makes the wines taste better rather than undesirable.
October 17, 2009

Kathy Hughes
QOTD: Bubbly ! All the best from Naples Kathy aka Champagne Lady
October 16, 2009

jayhitek
QOTD: Zins and Melbacs are my go to’s.
October 16, 2009

Scalpa
love the tight shows – great stuff as always
QOTD: looking to drink coulee de serrant from Joly, and try out some german rieslings
Cheers GV
October 15, 2009

Stu
If you are spending under 15 dollars on a Torrontes and you are buying one from anywhere other than Salta you are taking a huge risk. Do not let this show scare you off from the varietal, but do let it scare you off from Mendoza and Rioja. There are, or course, exceptions, and if you are feeling adventurous go ahead, but good luck.
October 15, 2009

Carlos Valenzuela
Hey Gary, I’ve been tasting some torrontes lately and I dont know if its maybe from mass production or just not good care, but they smell and taste almost artificial… BUT I tasted yesterday a Quara Torrontés 2005. from Salta, Argentina, and to my surprise it was very good! Golden with platinum and silver borders; on the nose it was full with tropical fruits like litchi, maracuja and a very strange fruit called JACKA. It was also well balanced like in the mid-range, not a bombastic wine, but well balanced. A nice break from almost fabric softener smell torrontes!
October 15, 2009

Mary
Hi,
Love the show. Am buying your book today on Amazon.

My FAV Torrontes is: 08 Colome….Scrumpious!
October 14, 2009

J Crazy
South African wines are in my cross hairs lately.
October 14, 2009

wyld
Funny you tried Torrontes tonight,my first day back after a day or two off and i opened a bottle of white wine i had not tried before, and went to watch your show. BAM, Torrontes tasting, glad you mentioned the nose, after my sniffy sniff i worried i got into something a little too over the top, but lucky mine was rather mellow and good.

Sorry about your Jets, but im a big fan of Ricky Williams, so kinda happy he had a good game.

QOTD: The entire summer i was into whites, but reds are my favorite, so im just enjoying getting back to center and happily drinking reds.
October 14, 2009

David Dadekian
QOTD: Hmm, I’ve got some big Syrahs in the cooler that are several years old, probably going to start cracking into those as the weather turns colder.
October 14, 2009

Mother Duck
BAAAAAD prediction on the score…. but a Gr88888888888t game (other than the outcome). SUX on the board reminds me that you are coming to Sioux City in Feb!!!!! Thanks for your help in raising money for a gr88888888888t cause; the Mary J. Treglia house! We will drink some wine, have some fun and RAISE SOME MONEY. Take the ‘OVER’ on 1000 participants and I will guarantee 20+ personally.
October 14, 2009

Murso
You’re right…again. When everybody jumps on the bandwagon, we get offered bunches of third rate, at best wines trying to bank on their hip and hot status. Usually they come from the same carriers (distributors) who don’t know or care the first thing about quality and passion, but are, pathetically, in it for the market sector share. And their reps are the same guys who over a nd over, can NEVER answer my simplest questions on production methods, grape provenance, or the like. It is up to knowing buyers to stop them at the door, so that our customers don’t have to suffer such rubbish.
Qotd – the fall in Northeast Ohio, for me, is perfectly suited to Bordeaux, Cab Franc, and a bit of both blended (Famous Grouse,Chivas) and/ or Single Malt (Dalwhinnie, Macallan 12) Scotch.
Cheers.

And congrats on Braylon. No doubt, he’ll do better’n he did here, where we breed perennial losers.
October 14, 2009

jason carey
Try La Yunta Desert Torrontes.. un believeible… i mean really great.
October 14, 2009

QUE
QOTD red wines with less of a fruity play and more mineral and spicy notes

good luck on the book tour
October 14, 2009

Angela Carlson
Interestingly enough, one of our local winemakers, Matt Smith from Blacksmith Cellars has a really nice 2008 Alta Mesa Torrontes that was picked as a
“Best Buy under $15″ by the SF Chronicle this summer.
The 2005 Monterey Chenin Blanc, from 40 year-old vines with original rootstock is tasty as well.

QOTD: Any day is a good day for Riesling, but as the weather turns a nice French-style Viognier (JC Cellars is awesome), a delicious Zinfandel or a
lovely Cote du Rhone, Blanc or Rouge can do the trick. Also, late harvest wines and Forseca Bin 27 Port with Trader Joe’s Spanish Valdoor Blue Cheese, Yum!!!

See you on the 25th!
October 14, 2009

DAveA
This fall is all about Cab Franc on rainy or snowy weekends, and Zin on nice weekends.
October 14, 2009

dmg
QOTD: It’s Port season!
October 14, 2009

Weston
qotd: Uhh I never drink one type so uhhh…wine?
October 14, 2009

Robthecomic
Boy you really called the jets game, its tuesday and i am still angry about it. Way more angry then expected. I have only had one torrentes and i thought it had good aromas and flavors but had a really viscous mouthfeel that was very off putting, i don’t think the grape is gonna live to the hype.
October 13, 2009

Tooch
looking forward to have some more of Jeff Ames’ wines from both Va Piano and Rudius. His syrah’s from Rudius are outstanding and I need a chilly night to get back in the mood for them again.
October 13, 2009

Derek F.
Really hurts me to see Torrontes getting bad scores like that….wine makers across that lands…TAKE NOTE!! This is one grape that should not take the fall if you know what I mean.

QOTD: Going to be looking for some 2007 Napa’s
October 13, 2009

Tony V.
QOTD: A nice Cru Beaujolais or even a respectable Nouveau.
October 13, 2009

Cool Dave
Hey Gary,
Sorry I will have to miss you on the tour in Montgomery. That slot has already been booked for vacation by one of my collegues.
I just had the same double bad wine experience but with Macon Pierreclos Chardonnay and Chateau La Rame Bordeaux 2008 sauvignon blanc. They both tasted like lemon water. Can anyone tell me why and who would possibly like such wines??? I only survived by drinking my own urine. Which paired nicly with some Cheez Whiz.
Oh and gary. Please don’t fire Mott for the mixed up link.

QOTD – I live in Alabama. We only have one season. I am looking forward to drinking Rush Cellars cabernet and chardonnay. They were made by Alabama wine distributor Rush Garner. They were made in Lodi CA with the help of Spencer Graham of Elizabeth Spencer wines. These wines are only distributed in Alabama, so when you are in Montgomery Gary, better pick some up.

Thanks for the response to my e-mail,
Cool Dave.