Uruguay’s harvest 2024, challenging but good for fresh Tannat and stellar whites

Amanda Barnes reports on the latest harvest in Uruguay and how the weather played a critical role for the success, and failure, of certain regions. “There’s no normal for Uruguay,” says veteran winemaker, Eduardo Boido of Bodega Bouza, “and 2024 was unlike any previous vintage I’ve experienced.” Vintage 2024 was a year of mixed blessings. It started with a cool spring and relatively dry, cool summer, which led to slow ripening and sugar accumulation — a boon for excellent white wines and early-ripening reds. “The Albariño was fantastic this year, but what really stood out for me was the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,” says Familia Deicas winemaker, Santiago Deicas. “I think this is probably the best vintage I have ever seen of these varieties!” The slow ripening and late season, however, spelt trouble for later-ripening varieties and regions as an enormous rain storm swept through the country in mid-March, while many grapes were still on the vine. “In a normal year, we wouldn’t have ...