Uruguayan enclave for the wine world 

With a red Tannat grape as its stamp, Uruguay is discovered as a wine producer that creates cherished  proposals which are beginning to resonate worldwide, at the same time it increases it’s production; it’s consumption is already a trend.

In this country, nine viticulture zones exist, but it’s specially within the South where ninety percent of  wine production is concentrated. It’s important to pinpoint that the grape mentioned previously reigns the wine proposals of Uruguay. Of French origin, Tannat enters this land in 1870, with strains brought from Argentina. An interesting aspect is that this grape has a much more regular use in the charrúa country than in its natal France and it occupies over one third of Uruguayan vineyards. It’s name proceeds from the outstanding tannins of this strain, which gives as a result a structured wine, potent and complex.

 

 

Due to its excellent adaptation, Uruguay elaborates young wines with the base of this grape, thanks to it’s tannic potential, more guard reds are created.  However, other grapes come to live too, they are used for similar wine cuts; a clear example are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Tempranillo grapes.  

As far as white wines goes, Uruguay stands out in the Moscatel range, perhaps one of the first strains to arrive - in the XVII century- was from the hand of Spaniards. To this day Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are quite popular.

 

Bodegas Carrau

This is a great label to get a grip of what Uruguay is doing in a high-end niche, this is it’s star variety. This Tannat is presented generous to the nose, with red fruits and confited cherries and dashes of coffee and vanilla, after almost 24 months of living in a French and American barrick. In the mouth it exhibits a nice structure, with a dose of acidity that prevents it from being heavy. It’s similar to other firm but silky tannins.

 

 

Bouza Bodega Boutique

This is a varietal harvest from 2010, but it’s worth tasting. This version is limited to 1.899 bottles of an excellent Merlot that offers delicious confited red fruits to the nose, alongside mineral and earthy touches, with a hint of coffee; it has been 12 months in a French barrick. In the mouth is possesses a sweet flavour with agile pace and a finale that releases toasted aromas. Very sumptuous and delicate.

 

 

Bodega De Lucca

This is a blend elaborated with Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the nose there’s an explosion of sweet red fruits with hints of vanilla. It also grants toasted rich aromas and a spicy depth. To the palette is presents quite fleshy, with excellent structure. In the mouth it potentiates its own aromas acquired by its time within the barrick, topped by a long and intense ending. Ideal to accompany a barbecue of Uruguayan seal.

 

 

Bodega De Lucca

A great white proposal from this small and family run bodega located in El Colorado, Canelones. Directed by one of the most important characters of the viniculture industry of the neighbor country: Reinaldo De Lucca. To the nose is quite citric with a faint herbal profile and a dash of maracuya. To the mouth it results quite unctuouse, with a great acidity that lingers until the end. it has a long persitancy.  

 

 

Reserve Tannat 2009 - Bodega Pisano

If this strain of Uruguayan importance had to prove it’s versatility, this bubbly is here to clear any doubts. It’s a completely different product to what is known in Argentina, due to it’s highly intense color, very fruity to the nose, with notes of sweet cherries and a bit spicy. To the mouth tannins give it body, but they are compensated by fine bubbles that grant it with a dose of freshness. Beyond it’s characteristics, its a wine of easy drinking  and ideal for those who look for something different in this segment .

 

Text: Juan Diego Wasilevsky ± Photo: SNOOTH / Bodegas de Urugusy / OINING / Perfect Wine