About this episode

The episode explores the history of a Basque immigrant's impact on Uruguayan wine culture through the Tannat grape.

Why did a Basque immigrant fleeing the Carlist Wars plant a vine from the Pyrenees on the banks of the Uruguay River in 1870 — and how did that single decision produce what may now be the healthiest red wine grape in the world? How does a pre-phylloxera cutting, preserved in Uruguayan soil while the original European stock was wiped out, become a living archive of a grape that no longer exists in its original form in France? And what does it mean that Uruguay didn't pick Tannat — Tannat picked Uruguay? Join John and Patrick as they tell the story of Uruguay and the Basque vine — the Carlist Wars, the old vines, the cardiology research, and the smallest nation ever to win the World Cup... ---------- In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh. The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here ! ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak…

People in this episode

Hosts: John, Patrick

Topics covered

• Basque immigration
• wine history
• Uruguayan culture
• Tannat grape
• Carlist Wars
• pre-phylloxera vines

Keywords

• Basque immigrant
• Tannat grape
• Uruguay
• Carlist Wars
• wine history
• pre-phylloxera

Sponsors

J&K Fresh

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Tannat

Places: Uruguay, France, Uruguay River

More episodes of The History of Fresh Produce

• Ivory Coast: Blood Chocolate · July 21, 2026 · 24 min
• England: 5,245 Acts of Parliament · July 21, 2026 · 24 min
• Switzerland: The Cherry and the Still · July 16, 2026 · 16 min
• Algeria: The Wine That Made France French · July 16, 2026 · 21 min
• Panama: Los Canaleros · July 16, 2026 · 24 min
• Saudi Arabia: The Quay of the World · July 14, 2026 · 25 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The History of Fresh Produce podcast page.