It was still a bit cloudy and wet as we headed north out of Montevideo for 40 minutes to one of the most historic wines estates in the country – Bodegas Carrau.
Still family owned and records dating back to 1752 in their native Catalonia, the original winery was built in 1887 and it retains many colonial features. Giovanni Pernice was our host and he energetically took us round the winery showing the many historic concrete tanks and explaining the philosophy of the estate. It was then into the elegant tasting room for a magnificent array of Grande Reserva wines featuring amongst others, their top Amat Tannat, a 2009 Nebbiolo and a 2004 Sousão which they no longer produce. A great morning!
From Carrau, it was a 30 minute drive south to another top class winery – Bodega Bouza. While the name elicits a few giggles, it has a great reputation and a renowned restaurant which was where we were headed. Smoked salmon salad, some perfectly cooked beef and a traditional flan dessert was washed down with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Tannat and Cabernet Franc – all of which were impeccably made as we watched the rain pour down!
