Kicking off with a trade masterclass in Bristol on 24th September, 11 wineries had their wines presented in this first Uruguay wine event held in the West Country of England. Hosted at the renowned wine bar and restaurant, KASK, the trade masterclass was hotly attended by sommeliers and buyers from renowned wine venues in Bristol, Bath and Wales, including those from Snobby’s, Corks of Bristol, Novel Wines, Casamia, Le Vignoble, Little Tipple, The Pony Group, Marmo and Monty Wines. Journalists and wine educators were also in attendance, including writers from Decanter magazine and 24/7 Bristol, and the leading wine schools in Bristol and Cardiff.

Later that evening, wine lovers of Bristol attended a sold-out consumer evening with a two-hour wine tasting and masterclass by South America Wine Guide author Amanda Barnes.

The following week in London, Barnes was also the host at a special trade tasting and consumer evening with Head Sommelier, Sofia Crepaz, at the two Michelin star restaurant Trivet. Barnes and Crepaz served 11 wines in two different sessions, each accompanied by specially made Uruguayan empanadas, and steak with chimichurri and chips.

For the trade masterclass, sommeliers and buyers attended from wine venues and merchants Hide, Noble Rot, A Shrine to the Vine, The Mulray, Ekstedt at The Yard, Paladar, Lobos, Maison Estelle, Tramp and Corinthia London, in addition to a host of influencers, journalists and wine educators. The consumer evening event following the trade masterclass was also fully booked, and over 20 of Trivet’s regular clients and wine lovers enjoyed a deep dive into the wines of Uruguay.

The following week, wine students of West London Wine School — one of the leading wine education centres in London — were treated to a masterclass and deep exploration of Uruguay with wine writer Amanda Barnes and head teacher Matt Wicksteed.

And finally, the Autumnal feast of events finished on a special Uruguay themed wine dinner hosted by The Good Wine Shop with venues in Richmond and West London. Over an exclusive dinner on 2nd October Barnes shared the secrets of Uruguayan terroir and wine culture, as six different wines were served to pair with different courses of food and the renowned restaurant Le Salon Prive.

Wineries involved in the tastings and masterclasses included: Viña Progreso, Bodega Bouza, Cerro del Toro, Familia Deicas, Bodega Garzon, Pablo Fallabrino, Proyecto Nakkal, Compañía Uruguaya de Vinos de Mar, Bizarra Extravaganza, Cerro Chapeu, Familia Traversa, Pisano Family Wines.