Friday, December 28, 2012

December - Wines of Uruguay

Well, what do YOU know about uruguayan wines? I expect you knew they made wine, but have you ever tasted any? Me neither. Well, my wife had some uruguayan fizz before Christmas at a wine bar in the city, but can't remember the name. So that doesn't count.
Anyway, Carla of Wines of Uruguay  www.winesofuruguay.co.uk brought along 8 wines - and they were good.
Some very different grapes and blends, starting with the whites -

VDV Estival 2009 - Gewurtztraminer/Chardonnay/Moscatel - £11
       A very unusual blend - similar to the Torres Vina Esmeralda - went down very well. The Gewurtz is picked ripe, with the Chardonnay picked only just ripe, to give a fresher taste. Unoaked
Bodegones Fume Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Gris - £12
      Very Oaky, aged in new Oak, would go very well with food. Reminiscent of those big Australian/Californan Chardonnay in the 90's
Marichal reserve - Pinot Noir/Chardonnay - Slightly pink, basically a still champagne. Very clean and Fresh


And the reds

Bodegones Cabernet Franc 2010 - £9.
    An absolute steal at this price. I did buy 3 bottles - which vanished on Christmas Day. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!!

De Lucca Tannat Libero 2010 - 95% Tannat, 5% Nero D'Avola £12
    Quite Chewy, Fairly, but not excessively tannic. Very dark, almost black

Marichal Reserve Tannat 2011 - £13
     Wines of Uruguay's best seller.

De Lucca Rio Colorado 2008 - Cabernet Sauvignon/Tannat/Merlot - £19
     Very powerful, very tannic. They only make this wine in good years. 2009/10/11 are missing. Made again in 2012.

Alcyone Tannat Dessert £19/500ml. Another best seller.
     Made by the Marsala method, infused with herbs

All in all, an excellent evening. The wines, great quality, fantastic value...