when we think about Uruguay, two ideas immediately come to mind: meat and wine.
I promise to talk about meat soon, but let’s start with the wine … a true Uruguayan heritage.
Although the history of the wine produced in the country is recent compared to the old world or even other destinations in South America, such as Chile and Argentina, the evolution of the producers is remarkable in strides, delivering a high quality drink.
This boom of wine tourism in Uruguay it also made small wineries start investing in infrastructure to receive tourists.
And first of all it is necessary to talk about one of the greatest treasures of this scene: the small producers.
To reach the wineries located near Montevideo you need to rent a car, hire a local driver or work with a wine tourism company – in this case, always prefer local agents such as Los Caminos del Vino or Wine Explores.
I do not recommend taking a taxi or even Uber, as most wineries are located in rural areas, it is possible that returning to the city becomes a risky task.
Los Nadies Bodega Almacen
the winery Los Nadies it is literally inside Montevideo, in the Prado neighborhood (it is possible to go by Uber), but not its vineyards, which are in Canelones.
The winemaking area is literally at the back of the producer’s house, oenologist and agronomist Manuel Filgueira.
It is there that he receives the curious who come looking for his wines, small parcels of very high quality. Manuel does not produce entry wines, he only vinifies what he considers special. That’s what I call a wine craftsman.
Son of doctors and grandson of winegrowers, his grandparents owned the Filgueiras Winery which, in 2011, was sold by her parents.
In the same year, Manuel’s two children were going through complicated health situations. When he returned from the United States, where the boys were being treated, he found himself with only his grandmother’s share of inheritance and one of the best vintages in history, but with nowhere to vinify his wines.
At that point, Manuel asked himself “What about us? Who are we now?”. It was thus, from adversity, that was born Los Nadies (The Nobody).
His wines are as honest as he is, always seeking as little intervention as possible.
He produces one of Uruguay’s most interesting tannat’s, called Equilíbrio, which emerged in that turbulent 2011 when his friends came to his aid to help him with the harvest.
More than a decade later, Equilíbrio continues to evolve and each new wine added to its line is like a little bottled work of art.
The tannat rose and the sparkling wine line are two other examples that cannot fail to return to Brazil in the suitcase. Los Nadies is one of the few wineries in Uruguay to export to the demanding Japanese market.
Do you want to know this story up close? Go with an open heart for a dive into the most intimate aspect of the world of wine and a real lesson on the subject.
To book a tasting with Manuel, you must write in advance to WhatsApp +59891771711. The entire small business is run by the family, that is, basically he, his wife and the two teenage children they take in at home.
Bracco Bosca
the story of Bracco Bosca begins in 2005, with a production of tannat sold in five-liter bottles, especially supplying the community of Atlântida (a region an hour from Montevideo, practically on the way to Punta del Este).
But it was in 2016, with the death of her father, that Fabiana Bracco took over the winery to change the course of this story.
Graduated in international relations and specializing in marketing, Fabiana had worked in the commercial area of Pisano and Narbona, when she decided to put her father’s dream into practice: to make Bracco Bosca a winery for fine wines.
Moved by passion, in the first year awards came and then it never stopped. Her Cabernet Franc is one of the highest rated in national and international contests and every year she comes up with something new.
A dry muscatel, an “orgasmic” tannat liqueur, a surprising petit verdot, a Trebbiano on guard, an inn among the vineyards and, now, a space for tastings that eventually also opens as a restaurant.
And if you are lucky and manage to have Fabiana accompanying the tasting (which is not difficult, because when she is not traveling she goes to the winery daily), it will be an even more memorable visit.
Speaking 6 fluent languages, including Portuguese, Fabiana’s high spirits and energy is the great engine of the winery that flies high and wins the hearts of 10 out of 10 visitors who pass by.
Be sure to book in advance – she responds to all messages sent via Instagram inbox and it is also possible to book directly through the brand’s website.
Bodega Casa Grande
Neighboring Bodega Bracco Bosca, is Bodega Casa Grande . The family winery is run by the young winemaker Florência De Maio and Fabrizio, her father, an agronomist.
Florence is the fourth generation of the family to produce wines. Although her grandfather made wine only for his own consumption, she was responsible for developing a new profile for the wines made on her property.
He rarely uses barrels, he is always looking for fresh, lively wines to be consumed young. Art accompanies the entire process and also runs in the family’s blood.
On the property it is possible to see the paintings made by Florência’s mother and the artist responsible for the creative labels.
The tasting takes place in Francesca Dito’s beautiful painting workshop and comes with a board of cured and cheeses to enjoy a pleasant afternoon in the family and country space of Bodega Casa Grande.
The winery receives from Monday to Saturday, but always with prior reservation by WhatsApp +59899 120862.
Artesana Winery
Artesana Winey is known for being the only winery in Uruguay to vinify Zinfandel, a whim of its American owner that is not unwelcome.
There are 8 hectares producing especially tannat, merlot, zinfandel, chardonnay and petit manseng.
Visits can be made from Tuesday to Saturday and are accompanied by winemakers Ignacio González or Analia Lazeano, who know better than anyone the way in which the wine is made.
There are currently 3 tasting options. In the first one, you can choose 4 wines to be tasted and a real class on the wines follows.
The second is perfect for those who also want to relax in the pleasant space of the winery, accompanying the chosen wines with empanadas, cheeses and cured meats.
The third includes, in addition to the wines, a partnership with a local meat house, with different typical cuts of Uruguay and their methods of preparation, accompanying a class on the subject by the specialist Marcelo Piriz. These events take place especially on weekends.
For the spring and summer seasons, the winery also promises late afternoon events, also on weekends, with music, wine and food preparations around the fire.
The winery is located in Canelones, in the Las Brujas region, about an hour from Montevideo. The suggestion here is also to book in advance, especially to follow the events agenda, by email [email protected] or WhatsApp +598 95 780629.
Source: CNN Brasil
