Amaicha Torrontes 2005

This is yet another vintage from Trader Joe's. We plan to hit a lot of different venues in our search for cheap wine, but right now, Trader Joe's will do. It's like heaven for the budget oenophile, if God wore Hawaiian shirts and chatted too much while taking your money. I am also now going to attempt my first review of a white wine for this blog. Considering that I originally developed my interest in wine while drinking red wine for my health, I hope drinking a white doesn't kill me.

Okay, I took a sip and survived. Whew!

Here's one thing I like about this wine. Each purchase contributes to the building of a school in Amaicha del Valle, Argentina. While the scars of high school have yet to heal for me, I nonetheless still want to support education. So I'm glad to hear that, by drinking alcohol, I am in some small way making the world a better place.

Here's the second thing: It's damned good. It's full, fruity, but wonderfully dry. It almost tastes like a champagne, although without the bubbles going to your head and making you embarrass yourself at your best friend's wedding. It has a wonderfully fragrant, almost perfumey bouquet, and an ethereal quality that makes me want to keep re-trying it. I really, really dig it, to put it as un-poetically as possible.

My score: 4.5 out of 5, and I don't think Joy will contradict this one.


Trader Joe's, $2.99 (a new record for cheap!)