Amalaya Torrontes Riesling

Amalaya Torrontés Riesling is a 750ml Argentine white wine blending 85% Torrontés with 15% Riesling at 12.5% ABV from the Calchaquí Valley. Grown at 1,800 meters above sea level in one of the world's highest wine regions, this expression earned 95 points from Decanter Magazine's World Wine Awards for the 2024 vintage — a remarkable achievement for a wine at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina  |  Blend: 85% Torrontés / 15% Riesling  |  Producer: Amalaya (Hess Family Estates)

Production & Heritage

Amalaya operates under the umbrella of Hess Family Estates, founded by Swiss financier Donald Hess. The vineyards sit at roughly 1,800 meters elevation in Salta's Cafayate Valley, where an extremely dry climate — averaging just 150mm of annual rainfall — and rocky, sandy soils force vine roots deep underground, concentrating flavor intensity. Grapes undergo a double selection process before slow fermentation at low temperatures with selected yeasts, followed by three months of aging in stainless steel tanks and a further two months in bottle before release. The stainless steel maturation preserves the bright aromatics and mineral edge that high-altitude Torrontés is known for.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lemon blossom and white flower, building into grapefruit peel, anise, and dried mango. Lemongrass and ginger add an herbaceous, almost exotic layer beneath the primary citrus.

Taste: The entry is delicate and silky, with sour lemon and grapefruit flavors arriving on the mid-palate alongside sweeter lime and melon. A befitting viscosity gives the wine body without weight, while fluid citrus acidity keeps everything taut and focused. The palate reads as medium-bodied with a lightly waxy texture that adds dimension.

Finish: The finish is crisp and distinctly mineral, reflecting the high-altitude terroir. Lingering notes of grapefruit zest and a saline quality carry through with notable freshness.

How to Drink Amalaya Torrontés Riesling

Serve well chilled at 8–10°C to let the aromatics bloom without muting the acidity. This wine is expressive enough to drink on its own as an apéritif but versatile in mixed drinks. A White Wine Spritz with soda water and a grapefruit twist plays to its natural citrus character. A Hugo Cocktail — traditionally made with elderflower — benefits from the wine's own floral intensity, requiring less syrup. It also works in a Wine Margarita, where the Torrontés aromatics substitute for some of the triple sec while the acidity mirrors fresh lime.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Argentine white wines beyond Malbec
• Warm-weather entertaining where a chilled, aromatic white sets the tone
• Pairing with Southeast Asian or Latin American cuisine
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates unusual, high-altitude terroir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Amalaya Torrontés Riesling taste like? It delivers bright grapefruit and lemon flavors with a silky, lightly waxy texture and pronounced mineral freshness. Floral and anise notes from the Torrontés dominate, while the Riesling contributes structure and crisp acidity.

How does Amalaya Torrontés Riesling compare to an Alsatian Gewürztraminer? Both are intensely aromatic white wines, but the Amalaya is noticeably drier and more mineral-driven, with sharper citrus acidity rather than the lychee-rose richness typical of Gewürztraminer. The high-altitude origin also gives the Amalaya a leaner, more lifted profile at a considerably lower price point.

Is Amalaya Torrontés Riesling good for beginners? Yes — its expressive aromatics and approachable acidity make it an excellent entry point into aromatic white wines, and the 12.5% ABV keeps it light and easy to enjoy.

Where is Amalaya Torrontés Riesling made? It is produced in the Cafayate Valley within the broader Calchaquí Valley of Salta, northwestern Argentina, at approximately 1,800 meters above sea level — one of the highest commercial wine-growing regions on earth.

What foods pair well with Amalaya Torrontés Riesling? Thai green curry, where the wine's acidity cuts through coconut richness; ceviche, which mirrors its citrus and mineral notes; empanadas with a spiced chicken filling; fresh goat cheese salads, complemented by the floral aromatics; and grilled shrimp with chimichurri, where herbal notes in both food and wine align.

What sizes does Amalaya Torrontés Riesling come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Amalaya Torrontés Riesling worth the price? It positions firmly as a value-tier wine that consistently punches above its weight, evidenced by a 95-point Decanter score and repeated 90-point ratings from Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling — scores rarely seen at this entry-level price bracket.

Why Amalaya Torrontés Riesling?

The 95-point Decanter score immediately sets this apart from the crowded field of affordable aromatic whites. What earns that recognition is terroir: vineyards at 1,800 meters in a near-desert climate with 150mm of annual rainfall produce grapes of unusual concentration that no lowland site can replicate. The 85/15 Torrontés-Riesling blend is itself distinctive — the Riesling minority adds a structural spine and citric precision that pure Torrontés wines often lack. For anyone seeking a serious, terroir-expressive white wine without a premium price tag, this bottling delivers measurable critical acclaim from a genuinely unique growing environment.