Not my neighborhood but that is how it looked outside all day Saturday
The weekend of February 20, 2015 was forecasted to be a snowy one in the Mid-Atlantic and as all the citizens here do, we prepare by running to the store to pick up those few items that makes being snowed in more pleasant. I have yet to understand the need for bread, eggs and milk, every weather event, everyone runs out for these 3 items.
For me, it’s the ingredients to cook comfort food, Balsamic Roasted Chicken was the call of the day, and essential item on my list is wine. I discovered Quarry Wine & Spirits in Baltimore, MD and have fallen in love. Besides their wine selection including several wineries I am unfamiliar with at my chosen price point, the staff is well versed in their offerings.
I decided to experiment instead of going with “what I know” and asked the salesperson who greeted me for a suggestion. I told him my preferred varietals of wines are Pinot Grigio and Moscato. He responded “Have you tried the Torrontes? The smell of the wine is sweet and fruity like a Moscato but its palate (taste) is dry like a Pinot Grigio” The adventurer in me said OK, I’ll trust you.
From Wikipedia: Torrontés is a white Argentine wine grape variety, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouth feel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.[1] Three Torrontés varieties exist in Argentina: Torrontés Riojano, the most common, Torrontés Sanjuanino, and Torrontés Mendocino. It is primarily Torrontés Riojano that has received attention for the quality of its wines, and is the variety used for most Argentine wines simply labeled Torrontés.
There were 3 wineries presented to me, prices ranging from $10 to $15, I chose the Don Manuel Villafane Torrontes 2010 at $15.00. Tasting notes from the website:
Torrontes 2010 Full transparent yellow color with an expressive nose of flowers and citric aromas. In the mouth, it is fresh and longer bodied than a Chardonnay with rich notes of peach and fresh grapes. Grape variety: 100% Torrontés Vintage: 2010 Vineyard: Famatina Valley, La Rioja, Argentina
Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
Pairs with: Great partner for spicy food and Thai as well Smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, and seafood.
My review:
Just as the salesperson indicated the wine had a sweet fruity smell with a dry taste. This wine was a delight, light, fruity and not too dry. In my opinion, a Torrontes wine would be a great bridge from Moscato to the dryer wines. It was the perfect accompaniment to my dinner and for a few sips dinner while I watched the snow continue to fall. This is one I will be adding to my list of “go to” wines and one that I will share with friends.
Until next time,
