What are the best wine bars in Montevideo? Just a few years ago there were no dedicated wine bars in Uruguay’s capital city, but in the last couple of years, a host of top wine bars and restaurants with great Uruguayan wine lists have emerged. Here’s a rundown of where to drink wine and the best wine bars to visit in Montevideo.
Best wine bars in Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo Wine Experience: A wine bar with a side of education
Although Montevideo Wine Experience only opened in 2015, it was the first of the contemporary wine bars in Montevideo and remains one of the best wine experiences in the city. Just around the corner from the Mercado del Puerto, Montevideo Wine Experience is run by Nicolás Cappellini and Liber Pisciottano, two impassioned young wine lovers who share their enthusiasm for lesser known and innovative Uruguayan wines.
Not only will you get a whirlwind introduction to Uruguayan wine but with seven different flights on offer and almost all of their wines available by the glass, you can explore the many faces of Uruguayan wine. Montevideo Wine Experience is also a good spot for live music with jam sessions on Mondays, jazz on Wednesdays and a DJ playing till late on Saturday nights.
Web: www.facebook.com/Montevideo-Wine-Experience
Address: Piedras 300 esquina Colón
Madirán: Vinous delights in Mercado Ferrando
Mercado Ferrando is a hip urban market which boasts an eclectic collection of eateries, bars and boutiques, one of which is Madirán wine store and bar. Sommelier Lucas Pérez Varsi will help guide you through their wide selection of Uruguayan wines which always seeks to include some of Uruguay’s most interesting and innovative new releases.
Taste by the glass or bottle and enjoy a plate of cheese and olives, or pick up something to eat from one of the other eateries in the Mercado.
Web: www.mercadoferrando.com & instagram.com/madiranalmacendevinos
Address: Chaná 2120 esq. Joaquín de Salterain, Barrio Cordón
Boca Negra: Wine & tapas in the city
With two dozen wines by the glass and plenty of innovative tapas bites on the menu, Boca Negra could keep you entertained with different flavour combinations for hours. Add in their frequent live music nights and you’ve got yourself a great night out in Montevideo’s Punta Carretas neighbourhood.
Web:facebook.com/bocanegravinosytapas
Address: Ellauri 303 (corner of García Cortinas), Punta Carretas, Montevideo
Barolo wine bar: Uncorking a big cellar in Carrasco
One of Montevideo’s most upmarket neighbourhoods, Carrasco has some well-heeled locals who regularly pop into Barolo to peruse their 160 labels of both local and international wines. As well as taking wines away with you, you can uncork something from their extensive cellar in-store.
Order by the glass or flight or take a bottle to uncork at their Italian restaurant, Fellini, next door.
Web: www.fellini.uy
Address: Av Alfredo Arocena 2098, Carrasco
Baco vino y bistro: French finesse in Montevideo
Baco was one of the first wine bars in Santiago, Chile, and this is the same family’s new outpost in Montevideo. Serving up French-inspired cuisine including classics such as steak tartare, boeuf bourguignon and tarte tatin, Baco has a very European vibe but serves a range of predominantly Latin American wines.
Try one of their many wines by the glass but don’t be afraid to ask the sommelier to dig out something interesting from the cellar. And keep your eye on their social media for regular winemaker nights and dinners.
Address: J.L. Zorrilla de San Martín 93, Punta Carretas
