Spanish wines! you can bet on Torres...

Mumbai, India

Spanish wines in India; where we are still coming to terms with wines, are usually not a part of our buying consideration set. Perhaps because we first got to know of the European heavyweights France and Italy which make great wines and then recently got convenience from simpler labels from new world regions like Australia and Chile. 

There are some big names like Roda and Mauro from Spain in India and Cava the sparkling wine from Penedes may soon be a common sight. One name that has been top of mind for all those who have bought Spanish wines is Torres. A family owned brand, now run by the fifth generation, Torres was very recently voted ‘World’s Most Admired Wine brand” by Drinks International, UK, the first European winery to earn the accolade. Torres wines have also expanded their interest in Chile and in America. In India, Delhi based importers, Prestige Spirits have been behind Torres in India and last evening they hosted Ms Emma Llorens the Brand Ambassador for Torres wines in a soiree at Pali Village Café, Bandra. Emma took us through a guided tasting of the following wines:

Vina Esmeralda:

A blend of aromatic varieties Muscat and Gewürztraminer, it gets its name from the color of the Mediterranean, Emerald. It has light perfume, some residual sugar and medium acidity. A no-fuss wine easily suited to the ‘Indian’ palate. Price: Rs 2000

Mas Rabell White:

Made of 100% Paralleda Grapes, an indigenous grape variety, it is name after the witch who resided in the house of Rabell. This wine has a very good body with great fruit and a hint of autolytic notes. This wine is found only in hotels/restaurants and not in retail.

Grand Vinasol:

A Chardonnnay and Paralleda blend with a majority of the former, this wine was lighter in body than the Mas Rabell with more tropical aromas and a hint of Oak-ageing aromas. Price: Rs 1850

Mas Rabell Red:

 A blend of Carinena and Garnacha, this wine has great body, supple tannins and a spicy finish. Again this isn’t available in retail across the globe, only for institutional sale. 

Gran Coronas:

This wine pioneered the use of foreign grape varietal in blends. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the major part of this blend. This Reserva wine had pronounced black fruit with hints leather and cigar like aromas.  Amazing wine I must say. Price: Rs 2500

Reserva Real:

Only 2000 bottles a vintage and we tasted the 597th bottle from 2001. Still holding on to the colour this wine saw a lot of forest and mushroom like aromas with underlying fruit and very soft tannins. It is available at select hotels in the country. It must be at least 30k on the menu. In my opinion the wine is at its peak, drink now

The evening ended in some disclosures, Torres to come up with Cava for the first time soon! The Indian market however will have to wait for it for a while, till then we have plenty of the other Torres pours to savour!