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No matter where they’re grown, Tannat grapes produce an inky, dark wine.

Wine Pairing Weekend Group Imagines Uruguay
It’s February and our Wine Pairing Weekend blogging group is picturing what summer must be like down in Uruguay. Never heard of wine from Uruguay you say? I had heard, but had never tried one. Thanks to Amanda Barnes of Around the World in 80 Harvests and the South America Wine Guide and  Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INAVI), many of our group found wine samples on their snowy doorsteps in January, just in time to put together our imaginary trip. Take a look down farther in this post to see all the great suggestions for foods to go with Uruguayan wine. I think we’ll all be on the lookout now!

Wine From Uruguay?
As you can see in the map below, Uruguay is situated between the southern corner of Brazil and the eastern edge of Argentina. Unlike Argentina, the country is low and rolling and the climate is maritime, influenced by the southern Atlantic ocean. There is a strong culture of food and wine in the country, and vineyards have long been planted. Almost 80% of the grapes grown are for red wine, with Tannat being the dominant variety. The grape was brought from France in the 1870’s and has thrived in the climate of Uruguay. In France, Tannat based wines are powerfully tannic and benefit from years of aging. In Uruguay, the grape shows a little more reserve and polish, and can be ready to drink much sooner.

Uruguay wine map courtesy of maps-uruguay.com

El Capricho Winery
El Capricho is a relatively young winery located in a new region of Durazno. The winery was founded in 2010, with 2015 being their first commercial vintage. All fruit is estate grown, and they maintain an approach of the highest quality at every step. They produce several wines including a Verdejo (white), Pinot Noir, Tannat, an Assemblage TTC blend, Tempranillo reserve, Tannat reserve, and their special reserve Tannat.

Disclosure: The Uruguayan wine was provided as a sample by Lanciano Wine Company, the importer. No other compensation was involved. All opinions expressed are mine.

Inky dark, but polished. The Aguara Tannat Special Reserve balances new world polish with old world earthy elements

El Capricho Aguará Tannat “Special Reserve” 2015 ($37 SRP)
This Special Reserve wine was limited to 1100 bottles in total. Limited yields from their best plots, hand harvest, and 18 months of aging in new French oak barrels. I was expecting a wholly modern, internationally styled wine. This wine balances the polish and fruit of a new world approach with some nice earthy components, well done.

Eye: Clear, deep ruby in color with ruby edge. Ruby stained legs.
Nose: Clean, medium+ intensity. Smoky with red and black fruit: ripe strawberries and blackberries. A little earth and tobacco in the background.
Mouth: Dry, medium+ intensity flavors. Red fruits with earthy undertones. Fruit forward, with nice non-fruit components of leather, tobacco and gravel in the background. Medium acidity, medium+ fine tannins with a long fine grained resolved tannic finish. The wine benefited from several hours of air before enjoying at dinner.

Wine Pairing Weekend Bloggers Share
Take a look at some great posts below from our fellow Wine Pairing Weekend bloggers. You might find you need to search out some Uruguayan wine!  If you see this post early enough, please join our chat on Twitter, Saturday Feb. 9 at 10am CST. Look for the hashtag #winepw.

• Pinny at Chinese Food and Wine Pairings presents Uruguay’s Bodega Garzon Tannat Paired with Lamb Skewers and Beef Short Ribs
• Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla gives us Brined Quail with a Numbered Bottle of Tannat
• Cindy from Grape Experiences provides Taste Uruguay: 1752 Gran Tradicion Montevideo 2017 and Pasta with Caruso Sauce
• David from Cooking Chat stirs up BBQ Baked Steak Tips with Wine from Uruguay
• Wendy from A Day In The Life On The Farm presents Food and Wine of Uruguay; Chivito Sandwiches paired with Garzon Cab Franc
• Jeff from FoodWineClick offers up Picturing Uruguay with Lentil Stew & Aguara Tannat
• Kat from Bacchus Travel & Tours hints at a Hidden Gem: On the Hunt for Wine from Uruguay
• Jane from Always Ravenous stirs up Discovering Uruguayan Wine Paired with a Winter Plate
• Steven from Steven’s Wine And Food Blog shares Tannat and Brazilian Feijoada
  
• Linda from My Full Wine Glass asks Meatless in Uruguay – Is that possible?
• Deanna from Asian Test Kitchen says Relax Your Mussels with Uruguayan Albarino
• Sarah from Curious Cuisiniere pairs Tannat from Uruguay and French Cassoulet
• Nancy from Pull That Cork gives us Uruguay: a Wine and Food Sampler 
  
• Gwen from Wine Predator shares Uruguay: Influenced by Immigrants
  
• Jennifer from VinoTravels presents Bodega Garzón Tannat with Sausage Stew
• Martin of ENOFYLZ Wine Blog writes A Taste of the #Food and #Wine of Uruguay
• Nicole from Somm’s Table serves Two Rounds with Bodega Garzón Tannat: Chivitos and Chipotle-Coffee Flank Steak
• Rupal from Syrah Queen is ready with Tannat – The National Grape of Uruguay
• Jill at L’Occasion rolls out To All The Foods I’ve Loved Before: Pairing Uruguayan Tannat

Guiso de Lentejas Paired with Aguará Tannat Special Reserve
In searching for recipes from Uruguay, I found a typical stew referred to as “guiso”. Apparently, it is a common dish all around South America, with the particular recipe I found coming from Uruguay. I’m a big fan of slow cooked braises and stews, and I love lentils, so this dish was a natural for me. While the ingredients are familiar, the flavor and texture were unique and a fun surprise. The earthy flavors of the stew were offset nicely by the polished but powerful Tannat.