Wines "Torres" (Torres). Spanish wines: names, reviews

Humanity cultivates vines and produces wine for more than five thousand years. Naturally, during this time there was a certain cultural tradition of growing and consuming alcoholic beverages. The classification of wines is incredibly ramified and extensive. White, pink, red; Dry, semisweet, dessert, liqueur; Young, mature. And yet the characteristics of wine are influenced by varieties of vines and terroir, production technology, blending. Remember all kinds and brands of this most ancient drink is almost impossible. And is it necessary for ordinary consumers? To be considered a connoisseur of excellent wine, it is enough to remember the best brands and names. But first let's say a few words about the terroir. There are states that are deservedly recognized as the best wine-producing countries. One of them is sunny Spain.

In this article we will consider the wines "Torres" - the best in this Mediterranean country. And this is by no means a particular point of view. In 1979, the products of the Torres winery during the blind tasting at the competition in Paris took the palm of the best alcoholic beverages from Bordeaux. Suffice it to say that the fans of this firm are Juan Carlos, the King of Spain, and Antonio Banderas, an outstanding actor.

Classification of alcoholic beverages of the Iberian Peninsula

Before you begin to characterize the wines "Torres", we will make a short introduction so that you can decide on the choice. What does the inscription on the labels of wine bottles mean in Spain? To determine the best of the best, look for them with the inscription DO or DOCa. It means terroir. If there is one, then the grapes for the drink were grown in the elite regions of Spain - in Rioja or Catalonia.

Now about the exposure. Marking "Hoven" means that before you is a new wine of harvest of the past or even this year. Young, playful, playing under the palate, and the price is quite democratic - exactly what you need to accompany a lunch or an aperitif.

The word "Kriantsa" means that the drink was aged in barrels from six months to two years before it was bottled. Even higher in the excerpt (and, accordingly, in price) is Reserva and the Grand Reserve. As for the ratio of sugars and alcohols, the wine Torres in this sense is no different from other alcoholic beverages. It is mostly dry ("Seko" and "Demi-Seko"). In the south of Spain, in Andalusia, make a sweet wine (Postre, Dulce, Liqueur). By color, drinks are also traditionally different: rojo, rose, blanco.

The history of the winery "Torres"

For the first time a company with such a name is mentioned in documents in 1870. It was founded by the brothers Jaime and Miguel Torres. They were hereditary wine makers. But in order to build up the starting capital, which enabled them to buy land for vines and open their own business, the brothers were forced to engage in marine commerce in Cuba. They returned to their native Catalonia and began to produce wine - not bad, but not so great. This continued until the forties of the twentieth century. The representative of the fourth generation of Torres, also called Miguel, was, as they say, "a winemaker from God." He not only blindly followed the Spanish tradition of making an alcoholic beverage, but also an innovator. In his estate in Penedes, he began to grow imported varieties of grapes - French "sauvignon", "Chardonnay", "cabernet", the German "Riesling". He also revived the undeservedly forgotten Spanish vines, for example, ("grands murales"). Experimented Miguel Torres and terroir. He bought land for vineyards in Rioja (Spain), Chile, California (USA) and even China.

The coming of glory

The company "Torres" first took care of those who for some reason can not drink alcohol. It was the technology Torres developed Natureo, wine, in which there is not a degree of alcohol. But not a non-alcoholic drink (which, incidentally, has a delicious taste) earned a worldwide recognition of the brand "Torres". At the Olympic Games of wine, the brand "Mas-la-Plana" was presented in Paris. During the blind tasting she unexpectedly bypassed the best Bordeaux drinks. He added aura of elitism to the wines "Torres" and Juan Carlos I de Bourbon. Since 1975, the King of Spain ordered this brand most often for his table. Now the enterprise is managed by the grandson of Miguel Torres. He continues the work of his grandfather in terms of cultivating Spanish winemaking traditions and introducing the latest technology. In addition, the company invests heavily in improving the environmental situation on our planet and in developing alternative energy sources. The best "Torres" wines today are: Mas La Plana, the wiped nose of "Chateau Latour" at the Olympic Games in Paris, and a drink from the thirty-year-old vine of the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. In 2007, "Vine Enthusiast" named "Torres" "the best European winery".

Where to buy wine Torres

The production of this glorious brand can be found in all Spanish shops selling alcohol. Excellent wine names are available in our country, but already in elite boutiques. But it's best to buy Torres products on site, in one estate that is located in Vilafranca de Penedes, just half an hour from Barcelona. The Catalan winery takes visitors daily and conducts for them a fascinating excursion. For 10-15 euros you will be transported on a tourist "locomotive" on plantations, where vines of different varieties grow. Each visitor receives an audioguide, which in the course of the excursion tells in several languages, including Russian, how wine is produced from berries. Excursion includes visits to workshops and - the holy of holies - cellars. You can walk around the vineyards and enjoy berries straight from the vines. And in the company's cellar, as the final chord of the excursion, you can taste from five to ten (depending on the cost of the tour) of Torres products. The price of wine in Russian stores ranges from nine hundred to several thousand rubles per bottle. At the place you like the drink you will be cheaper.

San valentine

This wine, as well as Esmeralda, Coronas and Sangre de Toro, became a hit of European sales. As a gift to his wife Margarita Riera on Valentine's Day, Miguel Torres developed two paired drinks. They are not blended and are made from traditional Spanish varieties. "Torres San Valentine" white wine is made from "parellade", and the red analogue is made from "tempranillo". Both drinks have a smooth and harmonious taste. In white, there are tones of quince, wine and bananas, and in red - pomegranate and black currant, nuances of black pepper and tobacco. Both wines have a rich bouquet in which the tones of ripe fruits and a long delicious aftertaste are guessed. The white drink is semi-dry.

«Santa Digna»

The wine Cabernet Sauvignon was red, dry was made from grapes grown in Chile, in the Central Valley of Curico. The color of the drink is characterized as "deep red with lilac reflections". With a fortress of fourteen degrees, this drink is perfectly combined with grilled meat, especially with lamb shish kebab. The wine "Santa Digna" has a rich taste with notes of sweet pepper and black currant. Tannins are felt, but their sound is elegant and unobtrusive. The aftertaste is mild. In a complex bouquet, vanilla and black currant are read in the frame of oak shades. "Santa Digna" later became the name for a whole line of wine "Torres", produced at the foot of the volcano in the Andes (in the valley of Curico, Chile). For drinks used mainly French varieties - "Cabernet Blanc", "Chardonnay", "Merlot", "Sauvignon". The name "Santa Digna" originated from crucifixes installed on the borders of the territories or at the crossroads, from which the traveler could pray for the happy outcome of the journey.

Altos Ibericos

When the Torres dynasty acquired land in the Rioja wine region, this name became the first to be grown outside of its native Catalonia. A drink is made from the traditional "tempranillo" variety, so it is perfectly combined with the dishes of Spanish cuisine, especially with tapas. It will suit the ham, red meat, cheeses, sausage and oily fish. "Altos Ibericos" (wine "Torres", Spain, Rioja) is best to buy the categories of Kriants DOC, the harvest of 2012 or the thirteenth year. A drink that has been aged for at least twelve months in barrels of limousine oak and for a long time in bottles, a wonderful aroma with notes of spices and forest berries. The taste of the wine is smooth and elegant, balanced, with a light sour. Red-cherry color will give you aesthetic pleasure raspberry sparkling sparks.

Fransola

The full name of this drink is "Francola Sauvignon Blanc". Blending wine. In its creation participated, in addition to the specified grade, and "Parellade". "Sauvignon Blanc", whose homeland is the Loire Valley, on the Spanish land showed itself very characteristic, but with an unexpected temperament. In combination with the "pareland", a delightful drink of light-golden sparkling color with a round and full-bodied taste was born. The complex bouquet of wine combines the aromas of figs, mint and tropical fruits. The drink has a long aftertaste, which plays in the tongue with citrus notes. This wine is served chilled up to fifteen degrees to fish, lobster, asparagus and seafood.

White wine "Santa Digna"

Chile's Torres office also uses the Sauvignon Blanc variety. Wine grown on volcanic soils acquires new characteristics. Small berries with thick skin have a slightly musky flavor. And the quality of grapes is transferred to the drink. In his bouquet appear tropical motifs - grapefruit, passion fruit. Exquisite and delicate aroma complements the delicious taste of wine with a silky texture and refreshing acidity. The palate captures the notes of tropical fruits and sweet melon. The aftertaste of wine is long and elegant. "Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc" (especially the harvest of 2004) will be a good accompaniment to chicken, fish dishes, seafood. Wine can also be served with a salad of fresh tomatoes, sage and basil.

"Viña Sol"

The varieties "parellade" and "Chardonnay" took part in the production of this blend. The wine was born on the hills of Pineda, facing the sun and the sea. The popularity of "Chardonnay" is due to the fact that this grape variety does not have its own, distinct taste and bouquet. Thus, it can serve as a background material for the creation of various regional drinks. "Viña Sol" is the perfect wine for the sophisticated ladies. It is suitable for salads, light meals from fish, seafood and white meat, especially chicken. The taste of wine is silky and full-bodied. In a subtle bouquet, shades of anise, white flowers and ripe peaches are heard. The aftertaste is long, complex. It simultaneously refreshes and warms the warm tones of French vanilla.

«Santa Digna Chardonnay»

The wine of the Santa Digna line is monosort. The Chilean valley of Curico is quite extensive, with different soils and climatic characteristics. This allows you to experiment with the vines. It is known that "Chardonnay" shows its best qualities in regions with a cool climate. Therefore, the grapes for the drink Santa Digna Chardonnay is grown in the area of the river Rio Claro. In the entire Central Valley, it is known as the region with the coldest weather. In addition to the climatic characteristics, the newest technologies are used to create the drink. The wine is fermented for three weeks in a strictly controlled temperature, and then aged for several months in steel vats, after which it is bottled. "Santu Digu Chardonnay" is distinguished by a perfect balance between acidity and density, as well as a rich fruit aftertaste. The aroma of the drink is intense, with notes of coconut, vanilla, apricot and mango. This white wine suits dishes with a bird in creamy sauce and fish.

Atrium Chardonnay Torres

A light golden drink with fruit flavors is the most popular of the company's products in Pineda. It is distinguished by a mild taste with notes of peaches and a fresh pleasant bouquet. Yes, and the price is pleasantly pleasing. If you buy a drink in the wine cellar of Barcelona, then a bottle of 0.75 liters will cost only six euros.