Uruguay has a 250-year-old history of wine production. The predominating local grape is tannat. Not a subtle grape, it has a hard and, as the name suggests, a tannic edge when young. Blending tannat with merlot doesn't help much.
Alcoholic drinks in Uruguay
21/09/2019
Older oak (roble) aged tannats or those blended with cabernet sauvignon or cab franc show more complexity. Local wineries include Juanico, with a lighter style for current consumption, and Pisano with more structured wines better in older vintages. For beer drinkers, the local beers Pilsen or Zimmerthal served in .66 litter bottles complement the local cuisine nicely.
Grappamiel or Grapamiel or is a mixed alcoholic beverage popular in Uruguay containing grappa, spirits obtained from various grains plus honey and water.
The legal drinking age is 18.