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EP 969 Torrontes Tasting

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes 2 Torrontes wines, interesting value plays from Argentina.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2009 Tomero TorrontesArgentine Torrontes
2008 Altivo Classic TorrontesArgentine Torrontes

Links mentioned in todays episode.


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luca bercelli

91/100

lines of the day ‘smells like a cute girl’s dorm room’ and ‘let’s call it like it is – I’m a tremendous human being.’

Superpumped GV after big Jets victory. Like a kid in a candy store…fun to see

Tags: Argentina, review, Torrontes, Video, white, wine, wines

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  • BuffaloLou

    Nice to see a change of pace with some whites. My 5th WLTV epi in a row. Enjoying this and hope to continue!

    Jets/Steelers – don’t predict scores, but I’d like to see the Jets win. It’s been a long time…

    I have never had Torrontes.

  • QOTD: Yes I have had Torrontes and was from Mendoza. I agree that it is a light wine that is very value priced. I would like to try more though.

  • Anonymous

    Torrontes is D-Lish. Simple but wonderful. It makes me happy.. and so will watching the Steelers goen home with nothing baby!
    Jets 34, Steelers 17

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: Yes tried a few Torrontes. Fav at the moment is La Linda from Bosca – 2009 is very fragrant and delicious. Trying to ween the wife off NZ Sauv.Bl. and this might just do the trick. Haven’t had Crios yet – but it next in my assault on the significant other’s mono-white-wine-diet.
    My son and I were stunned and delighted by the victory – He’s the Jets fan in the house, I’m just along for the ride. No predictions though…don’t want to jinx it.

  • Anonymous

    I’ve tried the 2007 Hacienda Los Haroldos Mendoza Torrontes but these wines need to be drunk sooner rather than later. I mean you don’t leave them to age. Have you tried the 2008 Temo Rodriguez Gaba Do Xil Godello, Gary? A delicious white wine from Galicia, Spain. We do not grow these varietals in Oz – yet!
    I’m sorry Gary but the Steelers 27-14 over your Jets. Great show GV !

  • QOTD: Yes, I had many Torrontes. I like them as aperitif or with light dishes like salads…
    13-13…overtime…Jets!!!

  • Hell Yeah!! Finally found one that I really am excited about. Bautista Simona Torrontes… so fresh and so clean. Peaches, Pears, and Green Apple tart for days!!

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: Yes I’ve had several. I think they’re a good wine to serve people who are not wine people since they do tend to be on the lighter side and fruit forward. I like them.

    Congrats on the Jets win man. I was super duper crazy happy for you yesterday.

  • Anonymous

    Oopa I forgot my prediction. Jets 20 Steelers 17 a nail biter.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Gary,

    Just for the records, Torrontes is a crossing between Criolla Chica and Muscat of Alexandria, and has nothing to do with the Spanish Torrontes or Torontel.

    As you have mentioned, too, there are three varieties of Torrontes in Argentina, which are Torrontes Riojano, Torrontes Sanjuanino and Torrontes Mendocino.

    Torrontes Riojano is generally regarded as the best of the three, and, although it is mostly planted in the provinces of La Rioja and Salta (where the Cafayate valley is) in the Northwest of Argentina, it is now slowly being planted in other areas as well.

    As a rule of thumb, it is best consumed within one or two years of being harvested (and remember harvest of this variety in the Southern hemisphere takes place in February!). This is important, and I am sure one of the problems with your second sample is that it is already past its prime.

    Some great Torrontes to check out are Etchart Gran Linaje, Altavista Premium, Crios, Tapiz, Colomé, Domingo Hermanos. Good Torrontes values include Coleccion Michel Torino, Santa Florentina, Argento, and Alamos, just to name a few good examples. Also very interesting is Deseado, an off dry sparkling made with Torrontes in Patagonia (imagine how that goes down with the sweet-toothed out there!).

    Oh, and yes, I (obviously) have had Torrontes, but you probably figured that out already? 😉

  • Anonymous

    More white wines in winter, I like where you’re going with this. Went sledding yesterday and we had a bottle of Loimer Riesling at the top of the slope and everyone had a swig before launching downhill. It just sat there in the snow as a reward for climbing up.

    2 weeks in a row of the Jets pazzzzing on the blitz. What will they do this week? I feel like it’s the Jet’s year, they’ve already had so many “team of destiny” moments. Jets 19-16

  • QOTD-1: NY Jets 17, Steelers 14

    QOTD-2: Never had a Torrontes. Tried ordering the 2009 Norton Torrontes at a restaurant this past Saturday and the waiter brought me their Sauvignon Blanc instead. Sent it back and settled for an Assyrtiko. I am looking forward though to trying the Argentine varietal.

  • Congrats, GV, on the Jets win!! I thought of you when I saw the breaking news email from NY Times. When Gary’s happy, everyone is happy. 🙂
    QOTD: No idea.
    QOTD2: Yes, I’ve had the Zolo (bevmo partner) torrontes and the Crios.

  • Anonymous

    I’ve always liked torrontes as a better option for a light white wine, but other than that it hasn’t always been my favorite. I do think its interesting that all the ones I’ve had had an oily texture to them which is different. As for the jets-bears game, I think the bears are the better team but the momentum is definitely on the jets side and i really don’t trust cutler so i would say jets for the win.

  • Anonymous

    The fact that this wine is light, fairly simple, and doesn’t age (at all; as others have already posted the younger the better) is exactly why they will stay inexpensive/cheap. Most that I’ve tried do not possess the personality or “soul” that makes me want to drink more of them. They remind me a little of this citrus-flavored water that 7-11 sells. They have a nice (if simple) bouquet, just not enough complexity to hold my interest for more than the occasional glass.
    As for the upcoming game: any team can beat any other team on any given day, but usually the team who plays the most error-free wins (like your game); its a game of inches, missed calls/no-calls, and crazy ball bounces & thats why I never predict or bet. But all things being equal, the Packers should win it all (but most said that about the Pats, which proves the point made above).

  • Anonymous

    Sweet or dry? Once you try a few Chenin, you won’t want Torrontes againin (sorry).

  • Anonymous

    Sounds like Sprite (with a couple ice cubes melted in the glass).

  • Anonymous

    Chenin rocks the house!

  • Anonymous

    FWIW, I agree with you completely (see post above); even the super-hottie Malbec bottlings leave me cold. That “lacking character” you describe is what I’ve always refered to as “soul”. Most of the big-name Cabernet blends (Hobbs, Zapata, Ferrer, Sena) or single-vineyard Malbecs (with the exception of Don Melchor) have no track record, are too expensive, and the few I’ve tasted were too young to pass judgement on.
    Although the talent is certainly there, so far I remain unimpressed. Time will tell.

  • Anonymous

    I thought we were talking about white wines? Is this a red or white.? Can I take the blinders off yet?

  • Anonymous

    You find Torrontes from S. America similar to Alsacian Gewurztraminer? Really? One is (fairly) simple and one-dimensional, and the other is one of the more complex whites in the world…or is it just me? Shame to have a nose this big and have it be flawed, too!

  • Anonymous

    They are hit and miss but I’ve had a few good South American Malbecs and Cabs. I used to hate them. I found a Bonarda once at bevmo that I need to find again. beauty purple label.
    The show didn’t show up!

  • Anonymous

    I’ll have to agree with audiofan. They seem like opposites from the descriptors. Research must be done.

  • Anonymous

    The Muscat is what contributes the nice “floral” aroma, and you’re right, of course…should be consumed the first year/as young as possible! ;-]

    “Waiter…no more of this old wine; bring us the freshest wine you have…this years!”

  • Anonymous

    Don’t know where you’re at down there, but hope your feet are dry! Hang in there, mate, there’s always another good vintage! Except when you have drought, extreme brushfires, and now floods! Damn! Ever feel like you can’t get a break? The rest of us too. (Except Gary’s Jets!) ;-D

  • Anonymous

    Must have been a hellava burger!

  • Anonymous

    He lost me too until I noticed the 3% Torrontes up there…guess I’ll need to start posting tasting notes about Viognier in the Cote Rotie thread! (Jus’ kiddin, bro)

  • Anonymous

    And Gary will probably buy him one!!!

  • Anonymous

    If “when Gary’s happy, everyone is happy” then that must make you (wait for it…) Lisa Lisa, GLAD Lisa Lisa (with apologies to Cat Stevens, or whatever he goes by now).

  • Anonymous

    Hope they’re all from the ’09 vintage or newer!

  • Anonymous

    First – Big Ben and crew get it done 23-17. Greene, Revis and the Sanchise will have to dip into the consolation Vayner pack to drown their sorrows. I hope that you’ll bring worthy bubbles to the contest.

    Second – had it, liked it, but go Alamos vs. Simonassi for a value play. The former is floral and crisp, the latter oily and…unforgettable in a bad way.

    If the Jets win at Pittsburgh after powering through away games at Indy and Patsville, then they fully deserve the SB win. Having said that, I’m an NFC fan so go Packers. Rodgers and company looked great although the challenge was minimal. Get the cheeseheads out; the Lombardi trophy goes home.

  • I’ve had quite a few samples of Torrontes. I believe the first was a 2007 Urban Uco.

    GO JETS!

  • That Jets game was pretty awesome for sure.

    QOTD 1: Jets 20-17
    QOTD 2: I’ve had a few Torrontes, and they were pretty good, didn’t blow me away, but not bad.

    I almost want to see the Packers and Jets go at it just to watch the back and forth between you and K.Rose.

  • Anonymous

    Melbourne here mate. Throughout Victoria there are floods as well as Queensland, parts of New South Wales and little old Tasmania – where we have unbelievably good Sav Blancs and Pinot Noirs. Thanks for the thoughts audiofan, it was been quite an ‘interesting’ few years weather wise! Cheers.

  • Hey Pete, where do you hail from -I just got back from QLD yesterday, bloody shocking. Im from Shepparton, Vic – gearing up for vintage, hopefully the weather holds off

  • JDR

    QOTD2 : Maybe, but not on purpose 🙂

  • Anonymous

    Ah audiofan – were you concerned we might not have read your prior 7-11 comment – do I sense a need to have the largest wine glass in the room?

  • Anonymous

    Good job from the Jets,

    Prior to the playoffs I liked Jets-Packers as Superbowl contenders, I predicted this last year and got shut down but it looks like it might happen this year. I did have trouble seeing a team beat the Pats though so it wasn’t an thoughtout prediction just a gut feeling. So on to Sunday’s game, I’m gonna go 17-13 Jets.

    As for Torrontes, I love the Alamos the you made me discover Gary, I’ve tried a couple other such as the Etchart that I found decieving, good nose but nothing behind it which is a huge letdown when that happens.

  • Hey Gary

    I’m kind of almost getting into football with wins like that for the Jets. Good luck for the next game.

    QOTD 1: Jets to win 23 – 15
    QOTD 2: Had a few, but nothing memorable. Very difficult to get here in Hong Kong.

    Cheers
    Andrew

  • Hi Gary,
    Like yourself at http://www.winegifts4u.co.uk we taste wines all the time, and I agree with you tasting wines out of season helps in developing the palate.

    No have not tasted the Torrontes yet.

  • Randall

    Sorry I confused you, castello. I was hoping my fellow wine enthusiasts would notice that I was commenting on the producer, and also the fact that I mentioned little clues like 35% cab, 35% malbec, bonarda, syrah, etc…
    On tomorrows show about old, aged Burgundies I will be posting tasting notes on 2010 vinho verde…
    🙂

  • Anonymous

    Never tasted Torrontes. Pit: 28, NY: 21

  • Randall

    …also, castello, this is Obviously not the forum to mix up the ‘standard operating procedures’ concerning wine. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s early and I have to go pop a bottle of Torrontes to go with my breakfast cereal…

    :D!!

    ps our mutual friend has confirmed for the 30th. I haven’t seen him posting recently and don’t know if you heard from him through your posted email. Cheers…

  • Anonymous

    I’ve never tasted Torrontes, but since I am a Sauvignon Blanc fan, I’ll definitely give it a try for some variety during the summer months. No prediction on the game. I’m a Pats fan and a gracious loser, so congratulations.

  • shaved the beard? hmm. is that good?
    trying wine out of season, when is not wine season, all of them?
    QOTD: Jets -Steelers 27-25 , just to be nice to you Gary
    Yes one, Ecologica Santa Florentina Torrontés 10 bones (has Chardonnay in the mix)

  • my thoughts too

  • I know! Why not have some black cats running through your show! 😛

  • Chenins are fantastic! 😀

  • He has a way of doing that when it comes to his reds. It’s in his contract. 😛

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: YES! My favorite is the La Vuelta Torrontes. It’s one of my white wine regulars…

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