Beyond Tannat: Barnes’ top 10 to explore from Uruguay

1 Viña Edén, 3D Undisgorged Sur Lees, Pueblo Edén, Maldonado NV 93

£27.50 Wanderlust Wine

Viña Edén has quickly become the sparkling wine producer to know in Uruguay, making excellent traditional method bubbles (as well as still wines). This unfiltered edition is something else: rich, leesy and mouthwatering with a chalky grip on the finish and heady notes of summer blossom and white peach. Coastal and complex. Drink 2021-2024 Alcohol 12.5%

2 Garzón, Single Vineyard Albarino, Garzón, Maldonado 2020 94

£31.99 Carruthers & Kent, Christopher Keiller, Exel, Liberty Wines, Nicholson's Wines, The Fine Wine Co, Wineye

Garzón’s top Albarino truly shows what is so exciting about the boom of this variety in Uruguay. With a distinctly coastal nose of salt-crusted peaches and oyster shell, the palate is focused yet opulent with mouthwatering acidity, a chalky texture and an aromatic, mouthfilling finish. Very serious Albarino. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 14%

Bouza, Viñedo Pan de Azúcar Riesling, Maldonado 2019 93

£23.95 Jeroboams

Bouza’s Pan de Azúcar is one of the most exciting new vineyards in Uruguay and this Riesling proves exactly why. Brimming with coastal vivacity and vigour, on the nose there’s lime leaf, petrol and white peach, while the long finish plays out with mouthwatering acidity and zesty aromatics. One for oysters. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 13%

Bracco Bosca, Ombú Moscatel, Atlántida, Canelones 2018 89

£16.99 Hispamerchants, The Vineking

Fabbiana Bracco’s intiative to revalue her family’s old vines of Moscatel, this dry, pithy wine is a lovely coastal white. Trademark floral aromas, passion fruit and mandarin zest: a bright and zesty wine with volume in the mouth but a fresh, tangy finish. Good for sushi. Drink 2021-2023 Alc 12%

3 Bizarra Extravaganza, Orange Vino Natural, Juanico, Canelones 2019 91

£16.99-£19 Dronfield Wine World, House of Townend, Rise & Vine, Roberts & Speight, Tilleys' Wines, Wines of Uruguay, Winyl

The brainchild of Santiago Deica, this orange wine combines two traditional varieties in Uruguay: Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng. Amber-coloured, it shows notes of peaches, honeydew melon and croissants. With some structure in the palate and a creamy but fresh finish, this is a wine with body and plenty of personality. Drink chilled. Drink 2021-2025 Alc 13%

4 Marichal, Blanc de Noir, Etchevarría, Canelones 2018 88

£12.99 Wines of Uruguay

Taking a refreshingly different approach to rosé, Juan Andrés Marichal makes a still ‘blanc de noir’ from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A peachy, salmon-coloured rosé which is partially oak-fermented, this has a creamy body but refreshing acidity and notes of citrus, porcini and spice. An interesting summer sipper and bold enough to pair with pork. Drink 2021-2023 Alc 13%

Garzón, Single Vineyard Petit Verdot, Garzón, Maldonado 2018 92

£25.60-£31.99 Christopher Keiller, Exel, GP Brands, Liberty Wines, Nicholson’s Wines, The Fine Wine Co, Wineye

You would think that in a country such as Uruguay with its humid, coastal climate, Petit Verdot would be a shrinking violet, but this wine from Maldonado shows it is anything but! Dark, brooding and spicy, you expect this to be an intense wine, but on the palate it shows finesse and balance. Fresh acidity, silky tannins and a lingering note of graphite. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 14.5%

5 Pablo Fallabrino, Notos, Atlántida, Canelones 2018 91

£13-£15.99 Connolly's, Great Grog, The Vineyard Dorking, Vineyards of Sherborne, Wines of Uruguay Pablo Fallabrino has long been championing Piedmontese varieties in Uruguay and this Nebbiolo is a case in point. With notes of wild raspberries, rose hips and clove, it’s classic Nebbiolo on the nose but reflects its coastal terrain with a tangy minerality, searing acidity and spicy tannins. A refreshing but memorable wine.

Drink 2021-2028 Alc 13.5%

6 Viña Progreso, Overground Cabernet Franc, Progreso, Canelones 2018 91

POA Carruthers & Kent, Grape & Grain Devon, The Grape Variety, The Vineyard Ramsbottom Gabriel Pisano has made his name with elegant yet full-bodied Tannat wines, and this Cabernet Franc is of the same ilk. There’s a lovely richness on the palate but with a spicy finish and wild garden herbs and violet on the nose. Part of the exciting wave of Cab Franc wines from Uruguay’s new generation. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 14%

Pisano, Rio de los Pájaros Reserve Pinot Noir, Progreso, Canelones 2018 90

£15.35-£15.95 Carruthers & Kent, Ellis Wines, Exel, Fine Wine Direct, North & South

Light, fragrant and earthy, seductive and intriguing with notes of tart red cherries, roses and shiitake mushrooms. The tangy finish makes it a versatile food wine that will sit nicely with pork or mushroom dishes. Drink 2021-2025 Alc 13% D