What's Torrontes?

Prologue

Torrontes is a white wine grape very popular in Argentina but little known in the United States. Wines produced from it have wonderful bouquets and are very fruity.

...Adam Strum, Wine Enthusiast

Jose Zuccardi, proprietor of the Santa Julia Vineyards, is bouncing among the vines in his Chevy truck. He hops out to cut a bunch of Torrontes and urges, "Here, taste this...so aromatic."

Santa Julia vineyards were founded in 1963 by Alberto Zuccardi [Jose's father]. Great emphasis is placed on canopy management (to moderate the intense sunshine) and careful grape handling (press in the vineyards, temperature-controlled fermentation, etc.). The winery is one of the most foreword-thinking in Argentina, producing some of the country's best values.

...Terry Robards, Wine Enthusiast

The Rest of the Story

Sixteen wines not over $10 were lined up for my last blind tasting. After the balloting we pulled the BEST BUY from its sack...Santa Julia's Torrontes, $5.
For outlets, Contact Yale Sager, Winesellers, (847) 679-0121.

Postscript

Talk about a cutting-edge operation, if you want to know how Santa Julia uses a Russian rocket system, see the April 14,1998 WineDay article "Hail to the Malbec."

About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers.

WineDay Annex

More articles by
Fred McMillin

Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend.

Current WineDay
January WineDays
February WineDays
March WineDays
April WineDays
May WineDays
1997 WineDays

06/15/98
Well Done Napoleon

06/12/98
Winery of the Week
Death of a Vineyard

06/11/98
Jarvis Bliss

06/10/98
The Gray Grape

06/09/98
Lo and Behold
the Pink and Gold

06/08/98
Sangiovese Goes West

06/05/98
Winery of the Week
Staton Hill Thrills

06/04/98
ZD? Oui, Oui!

06/03/98
A Colombard Wild Card

06/02/98
A Cab to Remember

06/01/98
Here Comes the Bride

Copyright © 1998—the electronic Gourmet Guide, Inc. All rights reserved.