Torrontés is a white grape variety , mostly produced and known in Argentina , producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity , smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose. Three Torrontés varieties exist in Argentina: Torrontés Riojano , the most common, Torrontés Sanjuanino , and Torrontés Mendocino . It is primarily Torrontés Riojano that has received attention for the quality of its wines, and is the variety used for most Argentine wines simply labeled Torrontés.
42-430: The three grapes are relatively similar but do have some noticeable differences. Torrontés Riojano and Torrontés Sanjuanino both tend to have large loose bunches of pale grapes while Torrontés Mendocino, however, has smaller, tighter bunches of darker yellow grapes. Torrontés Riojano is the most aromatic of the three, with aromas reminiscent of Muscat and Gewürtztraminer wines. The least aromatic, and least widely planted,
84-617: A campanile . San Juan is the seat of a Roman Catholic metropolitan Archbishop and a Catholic University. San Juan possesses the Juan Victoria Auditorium, one of the most modern and active concert halls in Argentina, as well as many leafy parks and squares, including Parque de Mayo with its vast artificial lake. In October 2016, the Teatro del Bicentenario opened in downtown San Juan, which allows for 1129 spectators,
126-579: A velodrome , and numerous sculptures and monuments to General José de San Martín , Governor Federico Cantoni, and to sports. The city has modern transport infrastructure and is accessible via a ring road , and the South Access Freeway, among others. The city's outward growth has made a second ring road necessary, and the project is under construction. The motorway will reduce commuting times from Greater San Juan to downtown, and will also facilitate large freight truck traffic (diverting it from
168-630: A better understanding and identification of the different Torrontés varieties that allow for better accounting of plantings. For most of its history (including into the late 20th century) Torrontés lagged behind Pedro Giménez and Ugni blanc among white grape varieties in Argentina. But by the early 21st century, declining plantings in those two varieties and the growing popularity of Torrontés allowed it to surpass them and become Argentina's most widely planted white variety where it continued to be as of 2008. The different Torrontés varieties have developed niche in different areas of Argentina. Torrontés Riojano
210-590: A colonial one to one of the most modern in the country after the earthquake of 1944, with well-drawn and wide paved streets, ample sidewalks of tiles or mosaics, and lined with acacias, moreras and paradise trees irrigated by quaint canals. The city is located within the Capital District, which was planned in the form of a checkerboard anchored by Las Heras Avenue (from North to South), 25 de Mayo Av. (East to West), 9 de Julio Av. (east to west) and Guillermo Rawson Avenue (north to south). These four avenues form
252-434: A perfect rectangle of 16 blocks in width (going from east to west and vice versa -horizontally-) by 10 blocks long (going up and down or North to South, and vice versa). This center of this rectangle is a square of 7 blocks in length by 6 blocks wide, delimited by Leandro N. Alem, Córdoba, Libertador San Martín and Rioja Avenues. This area is the city's downtown and, as such, is the most densely populated and concentrates most of
294-400: A police precinct, a first-aid room, telephone booths, shops, a restaurant, and other facilities. Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Airport is located 15 kilometers from the city in 9 de Julio Department, more precisely in the village of Las Chacritas. This airport serves routes from San Juan to Buenos Aires. The city is situated on National Route 40 , connecting it with Mendoza (168 km) to
336-627: A powerful earthquake devastated the city, killing around 10,000 people and leaving half of the provincial population homeless. Another quake , 7.4 on the Richter magnitude scale , struck 80 km northeast of the city on November 23, 1977, causing considerable damage and killing 65 people around the province. After the disaster of 1944, the city was reconstructed on concentric boulevards, with straight, well-lit, tree-lined avenues and modern housing. It has mostly lost its colonial aspect, but retains an open, sunny Mediterranean look. The city of San Juan
378-578: Is Torrontés Mendocino with the aromatics and plantings of Torrontés Sanjuanino falling in between. All three Argentine Torrontés varieties belong to the Criollas group of grape varieties, which is a term used for presumably American-born cultivars of the European grapevine Vitis vinifera . Around 8,700 hectares (21,000 acres) in Argentina have been planted with Torrontés Riojano, and 4,850 hectares (12,000 acres) with Torrontés Sanjuanino. Plantings in
420-633: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . San Juan (Argentina) San Juan ( Spanish pronunciation: [saŋ ˈxwan] ) is the capital and largest city of the Argentine province of San Juan in the Cuyo region, located in the Tulúm Valley, west of the San Juan River , at 650 m (2,133 ft) above mean sea level , with a population of around 112,000 as per
462-600: Is dependent on irrigation from the San Juan and Jáchal Rivers . San Juan is renowned internationally as a stronghold of roller hockey , providing most of the players for the Argentina national roller hockey team (both men and women). It has hosted the Roller Hockey World Cup 6 times. San Juan has also been a host of the 2022 World Skate Games , the 2002 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship ,
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#1732790767964504-601: Is its large Triassic period fossil record, believed to be one of the largest in the world. There is also the Mariano Gambier Archeology museum at La Laja, Albardón county, some 25 km from the center of the city. It concerns itself with the many cultures that inhabited San Juan from Pre-History till the arrival of the Spaniards in 1560. It has a priceless collection of Indian artifacts, cave paintings and other elements of agriculture and life in
546-420: Is located in a fertile valley within a rocky mountainous area. Winter temperatures are generally mild, averaging between 1 °C (33.8 °F) and 16 °C (60.8 °F), but can drop below −9 °C (15.8 °F). Summers are hot, with average temperatures between 19 °C (66.2 °F) and 35 °C (95.0 °F), and a record maximum of 46.7 °C (116.1 °F) on December 20, 1995. The range of
588-577: Is often consumed within a year of its vintage date. The three Argentine Torrontés varieties are known under the following names: In Chile, the variety is also known as Torontel and Moscatel de Austria. Muscat (wine) Muscatel ( / ˌ m ʌ s k ə ˈ t ɛ l / MUSK -ə- TEL ) may refer to any type of wine made from muscat grapes . In the United States, however, “muscatel” normally refers only to fortified wine made from these grapes. Fortified muscatel became popular in
630-739: Is probably no relationship between the Galician variety of Torrontés and the South American variety, consumers may still see Spanish wine labeled as Torrontés from the Galician wine region of Ribeiro as well as other Denominación de Origen such as the Gran Canaria of the Canary Islands (most likely the Terrantez variety of Madeira ), Montilla-Moriles and Madrid . According to wine expert Jancis Robinson, Torrontés has
672-519: Is widely grown in the La Rioja and Salta provinces of northern Argentina and is, in fact, the single most widely planted variety (both red and white) in La Rioja. In Salta, the grape is often planted in high altitude, sandy vineyards that are often more than 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) above sea level. Here, the harsh growing conditions allow the variety to attain high acidity and assertive flavors. In
714-569: The Muscat -like qualities of the Torrontés varieties meant that a relationship to Muscat of Alexandria had been expected, the presence of Mission or Criolla Chica in the pedigree was unexpected to the researchers. For many years it was believed that the Torrontés of South America was the same variety as the Torrontés grape from Galicia in Spain , also known as Albillo Mayor. This widespread belief
756-522: The 2001 census [ INDEC ] (over 500,000 in the metropolitan area ). It is a modern city with wide streets and well-drawn avenues with wide sidewalks and vegetation of different species of trees irrigated by canals, from which it derives its nickname oasis town . It has an important accommodation infrastructure and transportation . It highlights modern buildings and the surroundings, the reservoir and Ullum dam, spas, museums, large plantations of vines, and various types of agriculture, with wine being
798-518: The Apostle Santiago, Saint Anne and several shields and emblems. In the basement of the church is the crypt, the pantheon of the bishops and the chapel of Friar Justo Santa María de Oro . This is the city's principal urban park, providing a green space with a colorful variety of flora. The park also features 19th century-era monuments to President Domingo Sarmiento and Friar Justo Santa María de Oro . The central fountain, dating from 1871,
840-596: The Galician variety. Additionally, Torrontés is known in Chile often under the synonym Moscatel de Austria , which is believed to be Torrontés Sanjuanino. According to wine expert Oz Clarke , most plantings of Torrontés in Chile are Torrontés Riojano and the grape is primarily used in the production of the Chilean brandy , pisco . Torrontes is also grown in Samaipata , Bolivia . While DNA evidence shows that there
882-776: The Tulum valley from the last 8500 years. The city also hosts the Fiesta Nacional del Sol, a festival that celebrates nature over five days in February. Museums in the city include: San Juan is ranked second among the wine-producing provinces of Argentina. It has a cultivated area of 116,700 acres at altitudes of between 1,970 (601m) and 4,590 feet (1399m) above sea level. This region specializes in Syrah , Malbec , Cabernet Sauvignon , Bonarda , Chardonnay and Torrontés . Because of this area's semi-desert climate , viticulture
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#1732790767964924-417: The U.S., “muscatel” (sometimes spelled “moscatel”) refers to the full range of wines made with muscat grapes. In 16th-century Germany, “muscatel” was also the term for Rhine wines to which elderflower -infused Salvia sclarea had been added to make a more potent beverage. The varietal of the plant used in this concoction thus acquired the common name, "muscatel sage". This wine -related article
966-537: The United States at the end of Prohibition , when, in order to meet the sudden surge in demand for wine, some inferior strains of muscat grapes (normally sold as table grapes or made into raisins) were mixed with sugar and cheap brandy to produce what came to be pejoratively referred to as “ wino wine .” As a result, the label “muscatel” became associated in the U.S. with inferior-quality wine, so that today in that country, fine wines made from superior strains of muscat grapes tend not to be called “muscatel.” However, outside
1008-575: The arid San Juan province, Torrontés Sanjuanino is found but is planted to a much less significant amount than Torrontés Riojano. Torrontés Mendocino is, by far, the least widely planted variety and is mostly found in the southern province of Rio Negro . Torrontés is grown in Chile . However, the exact number of plantings (and of which variety) are not completely known. In 1996, Jancis Robinson noted that there were several hundred hectares of Torontel grown but that some of these plantings may actually be
1050-522: The capability of producing wines of high quality, but its success is dependent on the skill and care of the winemaking process, particularly in maintaining suitable acid levels to balance the wine. At its most ideal, Robinson notes, Torrontés are "wines for early drinking that are not too heavy, are high in acidity, and are intriguingly aromatic in a way reminiscent of but not identical to Muscat ." But poorer made examples can come across as bitter and excessively alcoholic. Wine expert Oz Clarke, also notes
1092-560: The city has necessitated new means of transportation, and a feasibility study was recently commissioned on the development of a trolley service between downtown and Greater San Juan. The proposed routes would unite Chimbas-San Juan (Center)- Villa Krause and Rivadavia-San Juan (Center)- Santa Lucia , as well as one circulating downtown. Long distance public transport is provided by the modern Bus Terminal, with more than 6,000 sq metres (64,000 Sq ft) of area in platforms. The terminal also includes administration offices, ticketing, information,
1134-584: The city proper). It also calls for a complementary project for another motorway called South Corridor, connecting downtown San Juan with Rawson and other southern suburbs. The urban public transport passengers from the City of San Juan consists of bus lines marked with numbers and letters (19 or 26A), linking the city centre with the various neighbourhoods and the rest of the Great San Juan. The city also has taxi service and remises. The rapid growth of
1176-550: The city's commercial, financial and institutional activities. The most important perpendicular avenues are Mitre (known for its cinemas and cyber cafés ), José Ignacio de la Roza (built after the 1944 earthquake), commercial Santa Fe Avenue, Rivadavia street (the easternmost two blocks of which have been pedestrianized), and San Martín Avenue (which leads to most access routes towards Greater San Juan). The more important parallel arteries are Mendoza Avenue (leading to Villa Krause ), General Mariano Acha Av. and Rioja Avenue. Some of
1218-432: The city's most important landmarks are: Designed by architect Daniel Ramos Correa, the cathedral was inaugurated on December 16, 1979. The bell tower is a steeple of 51 meters (170 feet) in height, and features a British clock and a German carillon which sounds every 15 minutes. The interior is accessed through a bronze vestibule crafted Faenza , Italy with bas-reliefs of Saint Rose of Lima , Saint Louis of France,
1260-419: The dependency on careful vinification for the quality of Torrontés but also notes that the size of the harvest yield can also play a substantial role. While the aroma of Torrontés is often associated with Muscat, Clarke notes that many examples can be very similar to Gewürztraminer with subtle spice notes mixed with the floral bouquet of the wine. Clarke also notes that the wine tends not to age very well and
1302-429: The different Torrontés are genetically closely related but distinct grape varieties, and that Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino, and Torontel (also known as Moscatel Amarillo ) are all separate crossings of Mission (originally reported as Criolla Chica ) and Muscat of Alexandria . Torrontés Mendocino was found to probably be a crossing of Muscat of Alexandria and another, so far unidentified grape variety. While
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1344-444: The internal wars that devastated Argentina in its so-called Organizational Period (1820–1860.) Two of the most prominent members of the 1816 Congress of Tucumán which declared Argentina's independence from Spain , however, came from San Juán: Francisco Narciso de Laprida , who was president of the congress, and San Juan's bishop Friar Justo Santa María de Oro , a Dominican friar and an eloquent speaker whose persuasive oratory
1386-650: The largest in the Province and has become one of its main tourist attractions. Tourism to San Juan is centered around wine production and dégustation as well as the rock formations in places like the Ischigualasto National Park (which includes the Valle de la Luna ), 330 km north of the city, and the Quebrada de Ullum Dam (18 km from the city). An integral attraction to the province
1428-579: The mean monthly temperatures is 19.4 °C, possibly the highest in all South America. Sunny weather is common in all months and San Juan averages about 3,361.3 hours of bright sunshine, or about 76% of possible sunshine, ranging from a low of 68% in June to a high of 81% possible sunshine in May. Under the Köppen climate classification , San Juan has a desert climate ( BWh/BWk ). Since very little rain falls in
1470-669: The most important. Before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores , the Huarpe Indians inhabited this area. San Juan de la Frontera was founded on June 13, 1562, by Juan Jufré at the shore of the San Juan River. In 1593 flooding damaged the town, for which reason its setting was moved 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) south to its current location. San Juan was a sleepy, provincial town during colonial times (1562–1810) and took practically no part in
1512-544: The new findings. There is also a less common red wine grape called Torrontés, which is also known under the synonyms Tarrantes and Turrundos. Torrontés is grown throughout Argentina and its acreage is steadily increasing. Part of its increase in numbers comes from the increase in Argentine wine exportation where the grape has found considerable success in the United States , United Kingdom and abroad but also from
1554-461: The region, the San Juan River has been dammed to provide a regular source of water to the city. The resulting reservoir is located in Ullum , and is known as the Quebrada de Ullum Dam . The dam also provides electrical power to the region. Sixty-five percent of the surrounding area's agricultural production is related to wine production . The city of San Juan completely changed its appearance from
1596-441: The south and La Rioja (449 km) to the north; National Route 20 connects San Juan to San Luis (323 km to the east). Distances to other important cities are as follows: Córdoba (585 km), Catamarca (623 km) and Buenos Aires (1110 km). The old cathedral , an 18th-century Jesuit style building, was destroyed in the 1944 earthquake, but has been replaced by a modern- Tuscan - romanesque building with
1638-575: The very high altitudes (1700m+) of the Calchaquíes Valleys in the far north of Argentina have recently met with success. The vine is highly productive and is just under ten percent of all white grape plantings, however as a varietal , it made up almost 20 percent of all white wine sold in Argentina in 2008. The Salta region in northwest Argentina is particularly noted for its Torrontés as the grape thrives in cold dry, windswept conditions. Recent research using DNA profiling has shown that
1680-431: Was due, in part, to the frequent migration waves of Galician workers that have immigrated to Argentina throughout its history. Indeed, even wine expert Jancis Robinson , noted as much in her 1986 book on the world's grape varieties. However, recent DNA evidence shows that there is probably no direct relationship between the Argentine and Spanish Torrontés varieties and more recent editions of Robinson's wine books acknowledge
1722-405: Was largely responsible for Argentina becoming a republic and not a monarchy like Brazil . Probably the most important and famous city son was Fray Justo's nephew, and president of Argentina between 1868 and 1874, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento , whose birthplace was turned into a National Historical Monument in 1910, during the administration of president Roque Sáenz Peña . On January 15, 1944,
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1764-504: Was remodeled on several occasions. Named for a former governor, the park features a monument to its namesake (Antonio Aberastain). The city's most important, pedestrianized streets, their well-landscaped setting and variety of retail outlets make them favorites among both locals and tourists. Named to commemorate the May Revolution of 1810, the park a children's section, an artificial lake with an island, fish and aquatic birds,
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