Uruguay, so many people asked me where it is when I said I was going that I decided to write a few facts about the country, because it is wonderful. Truth be told, I did not know much about the place I was going to live for the next few months. However now I am in love with it, we are in a relationship, and please don´t be mad when we pass out maps at Christmas. :)

Uruguay, which means "River where the painted birds live", was listed third in the world's Environmental Sustainability Index in 2005 and was ranked 9th for "Most livable and greenest" country in the world by Reader's Digest. It is also rated the 2nd least corrupt country in Latin America and nowhere will you find a more relaxed culture so easy to melt into.

Cerro Chapeu Region, Northern Uruguay.

Bodega Carrau www.bodegacarrau.com

The Cerro Chapeu viticulture region is located within Uruguay's vast northern interior, on the border of Brasil, where cows outnumber people 2 to 1 and the gaucho heritage is still evident. It is surrounded by flat top mountains and rolling hills and the largest fresh water supply in South America. The deep red sandy soils offer good drainage for the vineyards and perfect ripening conditions for the intense aromas and mature tannins expressed by the region's signature varietal, Tannat.