| My desire to visit Argentina was not based solely | | | | and sparsely populated valley. Here they have |
| on that country's wines but also a life-long | | | | some of the highest altitude vineyards in the |
| fascination with all things South America. This | | | | world. |
| curiosity was based on Argentina's blend of | | | | Torrontes, a varietal that is native to Spain, found |
| European traditions with indigenous American | | | | its home in these high altitude vineyards of |
| interpretations. After having traveled to Argentina | | | | Argentina and has become a star. Michel Torrino |
| on a wine excursion, the culture, people and | | | | 'Don David' Torrontes was by far and away the |
| terrain all were beyond my lofty expectations. | | | | most interesting of the various Torrontes that I |
| Argentina has a long-standing wine tradition and | | | | tasted. It is a more full bodied and exotic |
| though they have had success with the | | | | expression of Torrontes with a nose of ripe |
| international varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, | | | | peaches and lychee nuts. It is a rich wine with |
| Chardonnay, etc., they really have made their | | | | tremendous mouth-feel and depth of character. |
| mark with Malbec and Torrontes. Both of these | | | | Malbec is a Bordeaux varietal - traditionally a |
| varietals have their history in Europe but have | | | | blending varietal, but in Argentina it has come into |
| found their greatest successes in Argentina. Of all | | | | its own.Though I tried a number of Malbecs, the |
| the wines and wineries that I was fortunate | | | | one that stood out was from Catena. A rich |
| enough to visit, there were two that particularly | | | | nose, followed by a full bodied yet approachable |
| stood out. | | | | wine that is the perfect compliment to a well |
| Michel Torrino is a winery in the Northwest part | | | | cooked piece of beef, particularly from grass fed |
| of the county in the Cafayette Valley - a remote | | | | cattle. |