Cafayate Torrontés 2024 | Etchart | Salta

Wine Identification
Bodega Etchart’s Cafayate Torrontés 2024 is a white wine from Argentina’s Salta region. The grapes come from the Cafayate Valley, in the Valles Calchaquíes.

Origin and Winemaking
The grapes are sourced from vineyards located at an altitude of 1,750 meters in the arid climate of Cafayate. This high-elevation environment benefits from over 300 days of sunshine annually and significant thermal amplitude, with temperature differences reaching up to 20°C between midday and the early hours of the morning. These conditions slow the vines’ nocturnal metabolism, allowing for the accumulation of aromatic compounds while preserving natural acidity. The soils are described as sandy and alluvial, deposited by the Calchaquí River.

Bodega Etchart, which has historical roots in Cafayate dating back to 1850, employs a vinification process designed to highlight freshness. The wine is made from 100% Torrontés grapes harvested early in the season. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. Notably, the winemaking avoids any wood aging and does not undergo malolactic fermentation, ensuring the retention of crisp acidity and primary fruit character. The final alcohol content is 12% vol.

Tasting Profile
The combination of high-altitude viticulture and cool, steel-tank fermentation results in a wine characterized by floral aromas. The significant diurnal temperature variation ensures that these aromatic complexities develop without sacrificing the structural integrity and acidity typical of the Torrontés variety. The early harvest further supports the preservation of this fresh profile.

Overall Character
This vintage represents a clean, aromatic expression of Salta’s flagship white grape. By avoiding oak influence and malolactic fermentation, Bodega Etchart presents a straightforward yet elegant wine that reflects the unique terroir of the Calchaquí Valleys.