Spanish Wine Information - Bodegas Torres

Chardonnay, Cariñena, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Monastrell, Muscat Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling, Tempranillo - all grapes grown in the Torres family vineyards used to make different types of wines. Each one is special. Grown with devotion and care, under excellent conditions. Processed by skilled hands, with a heritage of over 300 years of experience in producing the best wines of Spain.

In 1870, Jaime and Miguel Torres, who were then at the helm of the wine-making family, formed an export company, Bodegas Torres, in Vilafranca del Penedès some 40 km west of Barcelona, specifically to market its products. However they continued their wine production, and, from one good harvest to another, along with its impressive business skills, the company achieved admirable success.

Such was the company's prestige that in 1904, His Majesty King Alfonso XIII honoured the bodega with a personal visit. To celebrate their success, Juan Torres (2nd generation) registered the Coronas trademark in 1907. The company continued to develop and diversify, distilling their first brandies in 1928. However with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Bodegas Torres suffered greatly, and its warehouse was extensively damaged by bombing attacks. Miguel Torres Carbó (3rd generation)never lost hope: he took over and rebuilt the cellar.

They introduced their first bottled wine, Torres 10, in 1946, and this was a significant departure because previously their wine had been sold exclusively in bulk. Sangre de Toro, the brand’s most popular line, was introduced in 1954. Named with a reference to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine who was associated with the bull, the wine is made using selected Garnacha and Cariñena grapes.

As the company went from strength to strength, Marimar Torres (Miguel Torres Carbó's daughter) felt the need to expand. Seeking new horizons, they purchased vineyards in California (USA) and Curicó (Chile). Today, its massive worldwide sales - 44 million bottles a year – provides the capital for the world-leading wines produced in luxury single-vineyard cuvées.

Over the years, Bodegas Torres have continued to grow, not only in size but also in prestige, attaining award after award. In 1989, Milmanda scored third place in a blind tasting contest of Chardonnays from around the world. Milmanda is produced using Chardonnay grapes grown on the vineyards surrounding the like-named picturesque castle. Gran Coronas Black Label won a blind tasting competition organized by Farr Vintners in London in 1990. In the same year, Jordi Pujol, the President of the Generalitat of Catalunya, awarded Miguel Torres with the Cross of Saint George. Miguel A. Torres was named Man of the Year in 2002 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. In 2007, Decanter Magazine referred to him as the “most influential Spanish wine grower, and second in Europe.”

The company is committed to environmental causes, and it received the accolade of Green Company of the Year from Drink Magazine in 2010. They also received important recognition from the United Nations, whose Official Observer (RTCC) named Torres as a pioneering company for environmental awareness.

Most recently, former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter visited Bodegas Torres in Pacs del Penedès.

However, success has not obscured or modified the Torres family's vision. They know that good wine comes from good grapes, and that our environment has changed considerably with respect to that in the time of their ancestors. Working alongside the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial and the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Bodegas Torres operate numerous research programmes aimed at recovering grape varieties that have been lost over the years. Another project, Cénit Deméter, is aimed at the study of the effects of climate change on the growth of grapes; several other Spanish vineyards are involved in this project. Bodegas Torres are also working on a project (Cénit Higea) performing research on the relationship between obesity and diabetes.

Most importantly, the company have recently set the wheels rolling on the Torres & Earth Project, in which they have adopted several measures to use environment-friendly sources such as solar panels, and the participation in a wind generator park which will be able to create 60% of the Bodega’s energy. With this project CO2 emissions should be reduced by 30% by 2020.

Whether your next glass is red, white or a brandy, you know you are drinking the best when its label reads Bodegas Torres.
 
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