¨If it is Torrontés, it must be from Cafayate¨ Although it is an anonymous sentence, it sounds like a sacred proverb in Salta. The said remark truths of every folk and, in Cafayate, this is an evidence
The special characteristics of Salta makes of it a special earth for wine production and, more precisely, of Torrontés. Indisputably, with Mendoza, both are the best wine regions of Argentina. But, what has this Northern Province so that its wine could be so brilliant and transparent, and to be one of the national varietals most recognized and prized in the world?
At first, Salta has a very agreeable climate –dry subtropical serrano– that permits at 2.700 m above sea level, it exists wineries. That is the case, f example, of the highest winery in the world, Colomé, which vineyard is located at 3.111 masl. Explanation? Higher altitude the climate turns dry, and that makes a temperature range sufficient so that grapes can ripe in a balanced way and concentrate the aromas that characterize the wines of this latitudes.
The growing of the viticulture in Salta has permitted that this Province has its own wine route, that has nothing to envy the well-known routes of Napa Valley in California or Chianti Route in Italian Toscana. It has 200 kilometer of history, flavor, aroma and color that go through traditions and surrounding the vine growing, where Malbec has a place also, but the Torrontés is in the center
The history of this grape in Salta comes from the beginning of 20 century, introduced from Rioja, Spain. It founded with the soils, climate and altitude of Cafayate the icon variety in Argentina, and it started with the Magic symbiosis that created the origin of the Salta wine.
Water, sun and Colonial path
But the history of Cafayate is before the: it started in 1826, when Doña Josefa Antonia Frías de Aramburu, widow of the mayor of Salta, donated a terrain of her property for the foundation of the town.
There are many theories about the origin of the name Cafayate, but the most popular is that it came from the old Indian language kakán: ¨water basket¨, because it is located between rivers.
Until today, the real origin of Torrontés is a mystery, but not the touristic impact. Cafayate is the most important city in the tourist circuit of Calchaquí Valley
It is known as ¨land of the sun¨ and it is located 20 km from ¨Quebrada Las Conchas¨ (Shell´s Ravine), very good known for its famous geological forms of The Amphitheater, The Monk, The Toad, The Windows, The Castells. Who has the fortune to get in there will feel transported to another world. The ravine was part of the sea since 15 millions years and there are fossils of fishes from that time. Also, the Inca road is presented in this area.
Like a colonial city, Cafayate, still preserve its architecture, its strees and its church from XVIII century. In the downtown you can find the Museum of the Vine and Wine, an interactive visual and sonorous place which contributes to the cultural growth of visitors, mainly young. And close to the town, hotels, farms and vineyards are appearing.
Fuente: Voy de viaje