There are few folks on this planet that may take into account me a “wine professional”, far fewer would name me a “South American wine professional” an I can guarantee you that not one single individual would contend that I’m a “Uruguayan wine professional.”
However.
I like to think about myself as a reasonably good pupil (the College of Pennsylvania doesn’t dole out Ph.D. levels to only anybody), so once I was despatched a slew of wines from the relatively tiny nation of Uruguay (it’s roughly the identical dimension as Wisconsin or Washington), I made a decision that I might attempt to discover out a bit extra.
Uruguay is sandwiched between the a lot bigger Brazil to the northeast and Argentina to the west, and has been an impartial nation since 1828. Usually recognized for its progressive politics, the nation did undergo simply over a decade of oppressive navy rule (1973-85).
From weblog.usac.edu
A soccer (soccer) crazed nation, Uruguay has as many World Cup victories (2) because the French. Positive, these embody the very first World Cup (1930) and one other twenty years later (1950), however the nation gained the Underneath-20 FIFA World Cup final summer time in neighboring Argentina, so…
In terms of wine, about 75% of Uruguayan wine manufacturing comes from the 2 wine areas proper across the nation’s capital Montevideo: Canalones (roughly 60% of manufacturing) and Montevideo (sure, the identical identify because the capital, with about 15% of complete manufacturing).
Tannat, which was dropped at the nation within the 1870s by French Basque immigrants, constitutes near 40% of the vineyards planted immediately, with different worldwide varieties changing into more and more vital.
Final yr, I used to be despatched 9 wines from Uruguay for a Zoom name and I revealed notes on the white wines and crimson wines (which, not surprisingly, included a number of Tannats).
Final month, I had one more Zoom with the advantageous folks from Uruguay and though I’ve by no means visited the area, I do really feel that I’m changing into a bit extra acquainted with the wines. This specific webinar centered on whites from the coastal area of the nation, which lies on the Atlantic Ocean (however you knew that already…).
2023 Los Cerros de San Juan Riesling Familie Lahusen Single Winery, Costas del San Juan, Uruguay: Retail $25. Screw cap. 1.6 g/l residual sugar. Solely 10 complete acres of Riesling are planted in Uruguay and to make this even a bit extra uncommon, the wine is aged in amphora. An uncommon Riesling in that there will not be the standard markers right here: no petrol to talk of, no intense citrus. A great deal of honeysuckle and acacia with a determined salinity on the nostril. The palate comes off dry and tart with good fruit and a prolonged end. An fascinating wine. Very Good. 89 Factors.
2023 Viña Overground Viognier, Progreso, Uruguay: Retail $26. Underneath agglomerated stopper. There’s not a lot Viognier planted in Uruguay both and that is in contrast to any Viognier I’ve tried. There is no such thing as a intense floral side right here so one can decide up the lemon rind and seashell quite a bit simpler with this wine. Good and tart with nice citrus and a little bit of weight. I might by no means guess that this was a Viognier, so the best way to price it? I do not know, however I prefer it. Glorious. 90 Factors.
2024 Familia Traversa Sauvignon Blanc, Montevideo, Uruguay: Retail $16. Underneath screw cap. Straw, near yellow within the glass, A basic SB nostril however with out the cat pee/freshly minimize grass that one finds in some SB, notably in New Zealand. Shiny citrus, a contact of salinity and a touch of an natural side (basil?). The palate is lean and centered with a stunning acidity, it drops off a bit on the end, however it is a nice instance of the variability. Very Good. 89 Factors.
2024 Bodega Bouza Albariño, Garzón, Uruguay: Retail $28. Underneath screw cap. Albariño is perhaps Uruguay’s signature white grape (Tannat definitely fills that function on the crimson aspect). Shiny straw with beautiful pear and peach aromas on the nostril, wealthy and welcoming. Surprisingly spherical–most Albariños I’ve had had been definitely acid-driven–with luscious fruit and a weighty mouthfeel. This makes one take into consideration what an Albariño is perhaps if extra winemakers would department out a bit. Glorious. 92 Factors.
2024 Familia Deicas Albariño Atlántico Sur, Juanicó, Canelones, Sierras de Garzón, Maldonado, Uruguay: Retail $20. Very Accountable Bottle (480g; 16.9oz). Underneath screw cap. Mild, good straw colour within the glass with a wealthy, fruity nostril of tree fruit: some golden apple, white peach, possibly even apricot. The palate is fruity and wealthy with layers of fruit and a roundness that one doesn’t often discover in Albariño. A little bit of orange blossom and a tiny trace of orange rind are launched on the mid-palate. The end is prolonged and complicated, making me marvel if this wine actually is simply twenty bucks? Excellent. 94 Factors.
2023 Bodega Garzón Albariño Single Winery, Las Violetas, Canelones, Melilla, Montevideo, Uruguay: Retail $25. Accountable Bottle (537g; 19oz). Underneath cork. 15 year-old vines. Sensible straw within the glass with lime and lime zest that leap out of the glass, actually weighty. The palate is wealthy and voluptuous with out being over-bearing and pushy. “White peaches made like to acacia flowers in a seashell mattress.” That’s how the U.S. consultant described the wine (kind of) and I’ve to agree, that is an incredible wine. Excellent. 95 Factors.
