(2023) An agreeable, easy drinking Cava made from the classic varieties, from a company founded by two Belgian entrepreneurs who moved to Barcelona a decade ago specifically to create an organic Cava brand. The lively mousse subsides to reveal custardy apple notes, some toasted brioche. The palate is crisp, juicy, and very flavourful. It has a vivid personality and a finish balanced between the sweetness if the dosage and nice acidity. Just £9.99 as part of a mixed dozen from Laithwaites at time of review.
(2023) The red wine in Torres' Natureo range blends Garnacha (Grenache) and Syrah. It is vegan-friendly and has fewer than 100 calories in the bottle. It pours a nice deep colour, blackcurrant and black cherry aromas are clear. In the mouth there is a slightly confectionery character to the fruit and once I find that slippery, saline character replaces any real bite of tannin or acidity, both of which are missed in the overall picture.
(2023) I'm on record as saying that previous vintages of this are about the best of the de-alcoholised zero percent 'wines', and this 2021 reinforces that opinion. It's off dry and has a light, dilute character, but the pungency of the Muscat character makes it through aromatically and to an extent on the zippy palate, where fresh lemon is offset by a hint of sweetness.
(2022) A blend of indigenous, historic varieties Garró and Querol, rehabilitated by Torres, plus Garnacha, Cariñena and Monastrell from slate soils, aged in all new French oak. A deep, liquorice and firm blue/black fruit nose of damson and blueberry, a supple creaminess is evident. On the palate wonderfully ripe and sweet black fruit fills the mouth, silky and layered with such fine, creamy tannins and juicy plum and raspberry acidity. Delicious and age-worthy.
(2022) I've tasted this Muscat in the Natureo range several times over the years, and always find it one of the more successful zero alcohol wines. Its the pungent, floral, grape and leafy green herb aroma of Muscat that shines through authentically, though as usual the palate doesn't quite have the punch or viscosity to carry the wine-like character off quite so successfully.
(2022) A familiar wine in eye-catching special packaging, this is the usual delightful blend of Moscatel and Gewürztraminer, but for every bottle sold Torres will fund the removal of the equivalent of 10 plastic bottles from the seas around the Mediterranean coast. Miguel Torres and his family are serious about ecology and sustainability, so enjoy this exotically-scented, off-dry white whilst helping do some good. As always the jasmine and peach of the nose are echoed on the palate, but the juicy citrus acid balances the little hint of sweetness very successfully. This is exclusive to Tesco, but the standard 2021 is available elsewhere too, and will be exactly the same stuff in the bottle. Watch the video for more information and food-matching suggestions.
(2022) An unusual blend of macabeu, albariño, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and riesling, from the very reliable producer Tomàs Cusiné. Peachy and fragrant, with a zippy pear-drop and citrus background, the palate is fresh and lively, iwth a big salts and lemons lick of acidity underpinning the ripe pear fruit. Mouth-watering and rather nice.
(2022) A de-alcoholised blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from Catalunya, with fewer than 100 calories in the whole bottle, Torres has been producing this for well over a decade now. It has a slightly neutral but wine-like nose, small, dry red berries like redcurrant and cranberry. In the mouth there is some sweetness, quite a slippery texture and what feels more like a saline rather than acidic finish. Once again this is only recommendable in the context of being alcohol-free.
(2021) Here's a wine from Catalunya in the northeast of Spain, where the Tempranillo and Grenache grapes local to the area are joined by Cabernet Sauvignon. You can think Gran Reserva Rioja as a reference point, this 2010 having spent eight years bottle age after a full three years in oak barrels. There is a soft brick colour on the rim, and the wine does show maturity, some autumnal dried leaf and more oxidative dried blood notes among the still bold berry fruits. The American oak adds its characteristic vanilla, spice and even a hint of mint. At £9.45 this will go down really well with lovers of old school Rioja in particular, the palate velvety and smooth with unruffled sweet fruit, though there is balance here too. Personally, I'd be drinking this over the short term, but like many of the old school Riojas, it could also prove to be indestructible!
(2021) Torres' premium Chardonnay wine comes from their high altitude vineyards in Conca de Barbera in Penedes. There is beautiful poise here, just the merest background hint of mineral flint, but a succulent but controlled fruit ripeness and fat lemon rind quality. On the palate a similarly poised and elegant character, the fruit ripe but clean, dry and savoury, a touch of almond oak just adding weight against the tangy and fresh acidity.
