I don’t know why I was skeptical when someone first mentioned to me that the wine in Uruguay was really quite good. Why shouldn’t it be? Argentina makes some outstanding wines, very few of which, truth be told, are exported to the US. There are a number of wineries near Carmelo, and you can arrange a trip to one or all of them if you desire (if you have a car, ask the hotel to help with this, since the hours can be a little hit- or-miss at these stops). I only managed to visit the one nearest to the hotel, Punta Narbona. This wonderful little spot, about a 15-minute drive from the Four Seasons, produces its own wines, as well as an interesting cognac and a wonderfully spicy sharp cheese (which it ages in the room behind the bar, along with the local version of pata negra). The proprietors will also cook up a nice meal if you call in advance and tell them you are coming, and the ambiance of a South American country roadhouse is an experience. Local fish, beef, and chicken are offered with farm produce and cheese and wine, adding true uniqueness to the local flavors. I stuck with the red pinot varietal, which had great body, a slight peppery flavor, and hints of plum, which I love.
I regret that I didn’t get to see more wineries in Uruguay after the experience at Narbona. A bottle of wine to go was about $10, and the cognac about $20. Numerous other goodies are available to go if you have the room to pack them or time to eat them before flying home. Dinner is inexpensive--$20 per person is probably a fair estimate, including drinks, unless things have changed dramatically.