Peruvian Wine
Peru is a country set to take on the South American giants of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay when it comes to wine production. This often overlooked country, better known for its production of Pisco - the grape-based spirit needed for a Pisco Sour cocktail - has a long history of viticulture and is fiercely proud of its winegrowing heritage. In fact, the first vineyard in South America was in in Peru’s Ica Valley, now owned by Tacama, which lies on the edge of the Atacama Desert about 150km south of the capital, Lima. When the Spanish landed in 1540, they brought their native grapes with them. Since then, Peru has provided a thriving home to hardy grape varieties which like a warm climate such as Tannat, Grenache and Torrontés. The cooling waters of the Pacific Ocean and soaring heights of the Andes Mountain range create a climate not dissimilar to that of California.