Dear Torrontes, I love you and will miss you.

Sometimes there are meetings that shake you. Ones that produce that butterfly feeling in the stomach and leave a sense of Mona Lisa's wonderment fluttering on your lips. Ones that leave you as gidee as an eight year old over the first snowcone of summer and your imagination ever chasing the hope of next time. And so it was with me and Torrontes, the little acclaimed white grape from Argentina.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I felt virtually consumed by Argentina's Red Goliath, Malbec, and all my work in the winery centered on Mendoza's well known yummy red elixirs. It probably goes without saying then, that even before the first sip, I was wanting for something different, radical, pure rebel. All of a sudden, in walks Torrontes and out walks my heart.

It's every bit the head turner I was looking for amongst a sea of red. Torrontes is a regional grape from Argentina that is used to produce some amazing white wines. It has a deliciously powerful bouquet that promises spring flowers and the refreshment of summer's citrus. But it's the bitter note on the finish, right in the back of the throat, that captured me. I had the opportunity to taste Torrontes across quality ranges and it was present, to some degree, every time. It seems this bitter end is a characteristic unique to the varietal. At first, I was a little put off, frustrated it didn't finish every bit as floral and fluttery as the bouquet suggested. A slight edge was persistant though. A slight edge, that quickly became an endearing quality of Torrontes that will undoubtedly be missed as I say goodbye to Argentina for this season.

Newsflash, for those I haven't told already: I'm back in the US and planning to head to California in a few weeks to spend sometime in the wine regions out there. If all goes well, I'll be out there to work harvest in another winery. None of this was part of the original plan when I set sail on this little adventure, but through meeting amazing people and great conversations, I realize that experiencing California wine is a must-do. It was a difficult decision as I love Spanish and was just beginning to get comfortable with the culture, but in the end, here I am back in the States and far from Torrontes. Though there are a few brands of Torrontes being imported to the States, the vast majority and the good stuff, if you will, isn't for export yet. No, Torrontes is still a sleepy Argentine giant that won't realize it's strength for at least another five years.

You can be sure that our parting won't render this adventurous spirit helpless or pause however. There are plenty of wines to be pursued between now and the "arrival" of Torrontes. I go forward with a new spring in my step and sparkle in my eye for the discovery though, and the hope of next time.

Until we me again Torrontes.

Always yours,
Karen

p.s. If you are passing through Dallas, you will find me here with my fingers crossed for the Celtic's as they play the last two games of the Eastern Conference Finals and bike riding. I've decided to keep posting to the blog though, as this ship has in no way landed and it's a good excuse to practice my english. As always, you're free to come and go as you choose. Thank you again for all the support.