The story is told that one summer afternoon in 1991 the heads of two of the most respected wine producers in the world were walking through a vineyard discussing their craft when they both realised that they not only shared the same family values, but also the same business challenges. The two men were Robert Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy, France and Miguel Torres of Bodegas Torres, Spain.

This discussion inspired the idea of an annual meeting where a handpicked group of representatives from the most important family wineries in the world could share their collective expertise in the pursuit of greater perfection.

This led to the 1993 formation of an organisation known as Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) Latin for First Families of Wine. This association of family-owned companies, which today remains unique in the wine world, is limited to 12 wineries. They exchange experiences of the wine trade, gain insight into future trends, and explore solutions to their business challenges.

New members are only accepted by unanimous decision, with the criteria being ownership of a winery, which belongs to the top echelon of its region, and enjoys a high international reputation.

Currently there are 11 members: Antinori, Tuscany, Italy; Château Mouton Rothschild, Bordeaux, France; Maison Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy, France; Egon Müller Scharzhof, Mosel, Germany; Famille Hugel, Alsace, France; Pol Roger, Champagne, France; Famille Perrin, Rhône, France; Symington Family, Douro/Oporto, Portugal; Tenuta San Guido (producer of Sassicaia), Tuscany, Italy; Bodegas Torres, Spain; Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain.

In recent years, some wineries have had to abandon the association because they no longer qualified as family-owned. That was the case of Mondavi (California, USA) in 2005, and Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhone, France) in 2006.

Torres — World’s Most Admired Wine Brand

Of the 11 PFV, we have representation for six of these producers in the Jamaican market, and this past week, J Wray and Nephew took us through the portfolio of the celebrated founding PFV member, Bodegas Torres. Torres was again voted as number one wine brand in the world by global beverage magazine Drinks International for the second year in a row.

Torres broadly categorises its wines in three tiers: Traditional, Noble & Reserva and at the top, Single Estate / Icon. We sampled seven wines.

The Torres Wine Flight

Viña Esmeralda 2014, made with Moscatel de Alejandría and Gewürtztraminer, falls in the category of Noble and Reserva wines and is very aromatic and fragrant, fresh and slightly sweet on the palate.

Milmanda 2010, made with 100 per cent Chardonnay, falls in the Icon/single Single Estate wines category and is Torres’ most prestigious white wine. Very intense, complex aroma with notes of citrus fruit, with restrained oak, it opens beautifully on the palate and delivers a layer of tropical white fruit in a long, balanced finish.

San Valentin Garnacha 2013, made with Garnacha Tinta, from the category of Traditional Wines, offers a simply attractive, smooth, silky and fruity red wine with very soft tannins and a pleasant finish.

Ibéricos Crianza 2010, made with Tempranillo from Rioja, from the category of Traditional Wines, carried a bit more complexity that the San Valentin, more spicy, with soft round tannins on the finish.

Sangre de Toro 2013, a great foundation wine of Torres, made from Garnacha and Cariñena, also from the category of Traditional Wines, more punchy aromas of spices and blackberries, medium body with velvet tannins.

Celeste Crianza 2011, made in the Ribera del Duero with Tempranillo, also called “tinto fino”, a full-bodied wine, robust ripened red fruit, powerful.

Our journey through Torres Spain ends with Floralis — Moscatel Oro, a sweet wine that Torres has been making since 1946. The Floralis-Moscatel Oro is one of the Mediterranean’s most characteristic dessert wines, nectar with an unmistakable floral perfume and a voluptuous and sensual palate. A very happy ending for sure!

With such a huge portfolio, there is a Torres wine to match every palate. Grab a bottle of something new and different to you today!