Market Watch, November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 MARKETWATCHMAG COM MARKET WATCH 73limited by invitation only can make their own wines and indulge in other unique tailored experiences Before Bulgheroni moved in on Maldonado other vintners had put down roots Alto de la Ballena planted its first vines in the region in 2001 and is now reaping the benefits of the additional exposure The realization of Maldonado as a high quality growing region is an exciting development in Uruguayan viticulture says Lorenzo The region had no wine production when we started growing vines there in 2001 and in the last ten years several new wineries have settled Wines coming out of the area now have a distinctive balance and intensity of aromas Looking ahead the winery is eagerly anticipating the arrival of high end wines from a new 70 acre project planted nearby which is called Cerro del Toro Also in Maldonado is Familia Deicas which as of late is explor ing Uruguays more extreme growing conditions The winery recently unveiled the Extreme Vineyards lineup according to winemaker Santiago Deicas the ranges Cerro del Guazuvirà is one of the only wines in South America thats planted directly over mother rock Also among the Extreme Vineyards selection is Suelo Invertido a 100 Tannat label We flipped the soil upside down for that wine says Deicas The result is a Tannat with mango and grape flavors which is quite unusual Familia Deicas is imported into the U S by Paul Hobbs Wines Back in Canelones Houjeije of Stagnari is energized by the uptick in tourism to Uruguay Tourism for us and for most of Uruguays wineries is increasing he says Everyday were work ing to improve our services and what we have on offer next year for example wed like to open a restaurant on site In keeping up with the rise in tourism demands Stagnari employs a sommelier whose main job is developing the winerys tourism program While tourism isnt an important part of business for Pisano Family Wines the winery is keen on expanding the breadth of Uruguays message We dont have that jammy overripe style of wine that comes from warmer climates our grapes retain acidity thats more typical of Europe says Pisano Even though were in South America our soils are a bit like those of Burgundy So our natural style is halfway between the New World and Old World in a way we have the best of both of them and thats ultimately what we want to get across to the world mwAlto de la Ballena is likewise putting height ened focus on varietals other than Tannat Cabernet Franc and Merlot do especially well in Uruguay says Lorenzo So do Sauvignon Blanc Albariño and Viognier they all take the best advantage of our maritime climate The winery specializes primarily in Tannat Merlot Cabernet Franc Syrah and Viognier with the majority of vineyards planted evenly among those grapes Uruguays Aspirations As Uruguay expands its offerings and more investments pour in producers are exploring new regions and amplifying tourist destinations One of the first major projects outside of the countrys Canelones region where over 60 of wine produc tion occurs Garzón has been instrumental in raising the credentials of Maldonado The traditional winegrowing regions in Uruguay are south around Montevideo and then west toward Colonia and Buenos Aires says Wylie But the new region is Maldonado We were one of the pioneers in exploring this cooler climate and its granite soils and our investments in guest experiences here have jump started enotourism in the region as Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio are now top summer destinations So far Bulgheroni has put an estimated 200 million into his Uruguayan estate culmi nating in an expansive resort that encompasses 500 acres of vine yards a luxury club with a golf course a restaurant helmed by celebrity chef Francis Mallmann olive oil production and the new hyper exclusive Garzón Club wherein members currently Antigua Bodega Stagnari winery pictured has seen considerable success in the U S thanks to its high end expressions of Tannat with three 100 Tannat wines driving growth Around half of the winerys vineyards are planted to the grape U S IMPORT VOLUME OF WINEFROM URUGUAY 2010 2018 thousands of 9 liter case shipments Calendar YearsSources U S Dept of Commerce and IMPACT DATABANK 2019 100150200250300 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10MW1119_