You may have never tasted a wine from Uruguay. That would be a shame, as the country produces some notable juice of both the white and red varieties. Red is more dominant, and the grippy, tannic Tannat grape is the star. Imported from the Madiran region of southwest France, Tannat is a dark grape which makes significant red wines. They can be brutish, but also approachable and elegant when handled by an expert. The winemakers of Uruguay have turned Tannat into a beautiful example of what the grape can do.
Uruguay itself is located on the Atlantic coast, making it the only wine making region in South America to be influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. It sits right between the southern tip of Brazil and the northeast portion of Argentina. Almost the entire country is temperate, but vineyards tend to be concentrated toward the ocean and the maritime climate it provides. If you took all of the winegrowing regions together you would reach about the size of California’s Alexander Valley in Sonoma. Uruguay is a modern country with a high standard of living and long life expectancy. Their wine industry is not huge, but they do export to over 50 countries worldwide. If you go into an average wine shop you are likely going to find some examples.
Wine grapes include the aforementioned Tannat, but also Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay as well as lesser known varietals such as Black Muscat, Ugni Blanc, Marselan and Albariño. There is a strong European influence here.
We’ve had many Uruguayan Tannats over the years. Recently we had a chance to taste a series of wines from the region, which included some whites, reds and a rosé Vermouth. Let’s take a look at the whites and the Vermouth in this article We’ll circle back for the reds later.
Here are today’s wines:
2022 Marichal Sauvignon Blanc – pale golden yellow in color, this wine ha a bright nose of apple, pear, lemon and white flowers. 
On the palate the pear is prominent, along with some herbal notes and a touch of grassiness. This is really smooth and has a nice acid edge to it that keeps it all balanced. We tasted this with a small group, and several found some savory notes. Around $15 and very much worth it. This is a delightful wine.
2022 Bracco Bosca Ombu Moscatel – this is light amber in color with a touch of orange. It’s floral, and fruity. There’s a hint of red cherry. The nose is delicate but filled with character. It reminds you of a Gewurztraminer in many ways. On the palate it is light in body, and refined. Unfortunately the mid-palate is fairly hollow and the flavor profile fades quickly. With that said, this will make a very nice aperitif. Serve it well chilled. SRP is $16.
Basta Spirit Vermut Flores Rosé – if you have not enjoyed a glass of good Vermouth then you should try something new. This wine is made from a rosé made from Tannat. It is infused with roots, barks, herbs, fruits and
flowers. It is spicy on the nose, full of floral aromas and incredibly complex. If you’re a Simon and Garfunkel fan you’ll appreciate the Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, although the Parsley from the famous song is missing. It is sweet and bitter at the same time. This can be served cold, at room temperature, on the rocks or in many other ways. I enjoy it simply by itself, at room temperature. SRP is $16. Try something different, and somewhat mesmerizing. 16% alcohol, and the wine stayed perfect for two weeks after opening.
There is a huge breadth of aroma and flavor just in these three wines. The complexity is quite staggering. The Sauvignon Blanc is exceptional and the Vermouth equally so, and both represent exceptional values.
Next up are the reds, and the star of Uruguay, the Tannat grape.
A votre santé!
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