So maybe you have heard of Malbec from Argentina. Or maybe Carmenère from Chile. But have you tasted a Tannat from Uruguay? Tannat might just be the next ‘big thing’ from our friends in America del Sur (South America for those of you who no hablan español).

First you may ask, where the heck is Uruguay? Well, its a small country nestled to the east of Argentina and to the south of Brazil…right along the Atlantic coast with a maritime climate and clay-loam based soils. Uruguay has a long history of viticulture, dating back some 250 years when French and Spanish immigrants brought the the vine to the New World.

The Tannat grape hails from the Basque region of France and is known for producing notoriously big, dense, tannic wines. Maybe you have had a good Madiran from Southwestern France? If you have not, get ahold of the Chateau Montus Madiran..its phenom! For Uruguay, Tannat is the signature red varietal just as Malbec is known as the signature grape of Argentina. (Interestingly enough, both grapes originally hail from Southwestern France…think Cahors for Malbec).

Tannat from Uruguay tends to be a bit less dense and more juicy than its French counterpart. On the palate, think lush fruit, spicy notes, cherry-berry accents, rich texture and a lingering finish. Tannat pairs best with beef dishes (another signature item in Uruguay).

Aside from Tannat, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, and even a small amount of Nebbiolo and Albariño are also grown. Tannat represents roughly 1/3 of Uruguay’s wine production.

Getting ahold of Uruguayan wines may present a small challenge unless you live in the New York City, Washington, DC or Miami markets, where distribution channels are somewhat strong. This should soon change as demand for Tannat increases and merchants continue to seek quality-driven, value-priced wines. A bottle of Tannat should run you anywhere from $8.99 to $16.99.

Here are a few stellar Uruguayan wines to note from recent trips down south:

2002 H. Stagnari Tannat Viejo–rich and brooding, with notes of spice and dark fruit. Fairly soft tannins with lingering plum flavors.

2004 H. Stagnari Gewurztraminer–beautiful aroma of lychee and rose petal. Crisp and clean. Spicy finish.

2005 Bodega Bouza Albariño–intense aroma of white flower, honeysuckle and banana. Lightly oaked with a touch of vanilla. Crisp finish.

2004 Bodega Bouza Tempranillo/Tannat–blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Tannat. Rich notes of cedar, coffee and tar. Dried fruit on the palate. Light tannins, medium bodied.

2004 Bodega Bouza Tannat A6–the big daddy of Bouza’s portfolio. Rich and complex. Notes of coffee, cedar, plum and black berries. Full bodied with medium tannins.

2005 Bodegas Carrau ‘Castel Pujol’ Sauvignon Blanc ‘Sue Lie’–an interesting wine aged on the lees. Notes of grapefruit and citrus with a yeasty finish. Aging on the lees adds complexity and mouthfeel. Medium bodied.

2003 Bodegas Carrau Tannat Reserva–one of my favorites. Spicy pepper notes followed by plum and black cherries. Medium bodied/medium tannins. Soft and silky on the palate.

2002 Toscanini Tannat Reserva–intense smokey aroma with dried black fruits and loads of spice. Medium bodied and soft on the palate.

2006 Don Prospero Sauvignon Blanc–mmmm tasty! Fresh and grassy with a slight touch of lemongrass. Loads of crisp acidity. Very refreshing.

For more information on Uruguay and Tannat, visit http://www.tannatland.com/ or http://www.winesofuruguay.com/.

Photos copyright Andrew Stover 2005, 2006