90+ Cellars Torrontes Lot 240

Torrontés is Argentina's signature aromatic white grape, and this Lot 240 bottling from 90+ Cellars is a dry example of it. Lot wines in this series are sourced and bottled under numbered designations, so the lot number identifies the bottling rather than a vintage or a single vineyard. Torrontés is known for a floral nose out of proportion to its body. Expect orange blossom, jasmine or rose petal, with peach, apricot and citrus peel behind them. The palate is usually lighter and crisper than the aromas suggest. Acidity is moderate to bright, there are no meaningful tannins, and oak is rarely part of the style. The finish tends to be clean, sometimes with a faint bitter-grapefruit edge. That contrast between a perfumed nose and a dry palate is the main thing to plan around. Serve it well chilled, at roughly 7 to 9°C (45 to 48°F). Two hours in the refrigerator is enough, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Colder than that mutes the floral aromatics, and warmer makes the wine feel loose and slightly soapy. It doesn't need decanting. Pour it straight from the bottle into a standard white-wine glass or a slightly narrower aromatic-white tulip. The tapered rim concentrates the perfume at the nose. At the table, the wine suits dishes that would overwhelm a more neutral white. Its aromatic lift works with mildly spiced Thai and Vietnamese food, such as green papaya salad, lemongrass chicken and fresh rolls with herb-heavy dipping sauces. It also does well with ceviche, grilled shrimp with lime, and chicken or vegetable curries made without much heat. Salty, fried foods like empanadas, tempura or fish tacos suit the acidity. Soft goat cheese and creamy fresh cheeses are good matches too. Very hot chile, heavy cream sauces and red-meat dishes are better paired with other bottles. This is a drink-now wine. Torrontés rarely gains from cellaring, and its appeal lies in fresh floral and citrus aromatics that fade with time. Plan to open it within a year or two of purchase. Once opened, reseal it and keep it in the refrigerator, where it holds its character for two to three days.