Bodega Colome Torrontes

Bodega Colome was established in 1831 by the Spanish Governor of Salta, Nicolas Severo de Isasmendi y Echalar. In 1854, his daughter Ascensión, who was married to Jose Benjamin Davalos, brought the first French pre-phylloxera Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon vines to Colome. Grapes from three vineyards (of four hectares each) planted in that year are still used to make wines. Located in the Upper Calchaqui­ Valley in Salta in the far north of Argentina, not only is Colome the oldest winery in Argentina, but it also claims to own the world's highest vineyard.

Torrontes,

The high altitude of the Calchaqui Valley and greater difference between day and night temperatures, ensures a longer growing season which in turn leads to a more intense accumulation of flavour in the grapes. The large difference (25°C) between day and night also helps retain natural acidity within the grapes. The climate here is dry with very little rainfall, on average around 120 millimetres per year. Soils are sandy with layers of gravel which help drainage. The vineyards are all farmed biodynamically. The Torrontes vines are grown between 1,700 and 2,300 metres above sea level.

The grapes went through a double selection process, firstly in the vineyard and then again on the sorting table at the winery. Fermentation was slow, using selected yeasts at low temperatures to retain the varietal fruit character. The wine was aged in stainless-steel tanks for three months before bottling in July. It then spent a further two months ageing in bottle before release.

Intense gold in colour with green tones, this wine has a bright floral nose of roses with the citrus aroma of grapefruit and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is fresh and well structured with a crisp finish.