This past weekend, we did a tour of white wines from around the world. As we did a lap around the globe, 2 wines stood out to the group, Torrontes and Assyrtiko. Both for very different reasons. They are both dry wines that are not very popular on restaurant wine lists, but perfect to drink in the summertime on the back patio or on the boat.
Torrontes makes its home in Argentina, specifically in the high elevation region of Salta.
Salta is home to the highest elevation vineyards in the world, twice as high as Denver, Colorado. It is very fruit driven and easy to drink with moderate acidity. While Susan Bilbao makes her winery’s home in Salta, The Zuccardi family makes a great example of Torrontes.
Delicate and unique nose, full of white flowers such as roses and citrus blossom. Also notes of mature white fruits and citrus zest. The wine is well structured with a lively acidity but remains centered around the aromatic intensity and delicate finish. Pick it up at your favorite retailer for about $15.
Assyrtiko makes its home on the island of Santorini.
The island is a very popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of Greece. Assyrtiko is grown on the eastern side of the island in all volcanic soils. Since there is little in the way of water and lots of wind coming off the water, the vines are planted in a depression on the soil to help collect rain, and basket trained to protect the vines from the wind. Estate Argyros Assyrtiko truly shows the full potential of the grape in Santorini.
Crystal yellow color, with flavors of citrus fruits, lemongrass and stone. Medium body, clean taste with crispy and long aftertaste. This wine represents that greatest expression of the estate terroir. Subtle oak influence highlights earthy flavor of Assyrtiko. This wine has a steely acidity, and shows fine tension on the finish. This wine is great with anything coming out of the water for dinner or even just a simple cheese board. Pick it up for about $30.
Banner and feature images courtesy Pixabay.com
Adam Arlen: “I am passionate about wine because it is history in a bottle.” He is the sommelier for The Peninsula Club in Cornelius, NC. Originally from Allentown, PA, he believes you should always branch out and find new things. His goal is to never stop learning and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. A fun fact about him: “I was a nuclear engineer on a submarine in a previous life.”
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