Colonia's Table: Uruguay's Beef and Wine Culture
Colonia del Sacramento is an excellent introduction to Uruguay's legendary food culture — the finest beef in the world (from free-range pampas cattle), the asado grilling tradition, and the native Tannat red wine are all accessible in the town's relaxed restaurants
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Uruguayan Asado
Uruguayan asado – wood-fired grilling of beef, lamb, chorizo and offal – is considered by many experts to be the finest barbecue tradition in the world; the technique uses hardwood embers (not flames) for slow, even cooking; the cattle in Uruguay are pastured on the grasslands of the pampas; the resulting meat quality is extraordinary
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Tannat Wine
Uruguay's signature grape – Tannat – produces a deeply coloured, tannic red wine that pairs perfectly with the country's beef; Uruguayan Tannat, unlike the rustic French original from Madiran, is often more polished and fruit-forward due to the different climate and winemaking method; Bodega Bouza and other Uruguayan wineries near Colonia are worth a visit
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Chivito Sandwich
Chivito - Uruguay's national sandwich - is a tower of thin steak, ham, mozzarella, egg, olives, tomato and mayonnaise in a bun; chivito is everywhere in Uruguay but Colonia's restaurant versions are among the finest; the sandwich is huge, messy and deeply satisfying — a complete meal in itself
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Mate Culture
Mate — the infusion of yerba mate herb drunk through a metal straw from a gourd — is Uruguay's national obsession; Uruguayans drink mate continuously throughout the day; buddy gourd and thermos are carried everywhere; the social ritual of sharing mate (passing the gourd) is the foundation of Uruguayan social interaction
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Colonia restaurant scene
Colonia's restaurant scene – concentrated in the historic quarter around the Plaza Mayor – is surprisingly sophisticated for a small town; the combination of Uruguayan beef, Río de la Plata fish, fresh vegetables from the surrounding farmland and local wine make dining in Colonia one of the most enjoyable dining experiences in the Southern Cone
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Dulce de Leche
Dulce de leche – caramelized milk jam – is the quintessential sweet in both Uruguay and Argentina; in Colonia, it appears in baked goods, on toast, in ice cream and as its own dessert; the Uruguayan version (slightly less sweet than the Argentinian) is considered by Uruguayans to be the definitive dulce de leche