A Peruvian Wine Like No Other: A Journey for your Tastebuds

Looking for the best Peruvian wine to pair with your meals during a foodie foray into the country's flavors? We've got you. While most travel books and wannabe culinary guides will point you to traditional vineyards steeped in history, culture, and Euro-focused tendencies, we would rather point you to the intersection of innovation and some serious sex-appeal with the natural wines and Pet Nats from Bodega Murga. Pet what? Pet Nat! These naturally sparkling wines are bottled before the primary fermentation is complete, with no extra yeast or sugar; so it's a low-sugar wine to boot!

​Okay, so you may be asking yourself if this a paid collab, but in fact, we are simply that enthusiastic about the labor of love that goes into each bottle at this hidden vineyard tucked away in the Pisco Valley.  Peru is officially home to the oldest vineyard in South America, and the country does have street cred when it comes to winemaking culture, however, at the more industrial-level operations you'll find your malbecs, chardonnays, sauvignon blancs, and a number of red blends. The wines from Murga have arrived on the scene to transform the concept of what is traditional by bringing the focus to hyper-local grapes and the chemical-free (from the earliest agricultural stages to the bottling process), natural flavors that emerge with each sip to excite the palate. ​

​Another factor boosting the bodega to great heights is the creative Brazilian prodigy that is a force to be reckoned with, Pietra Possamai, the enologist pushing the limits of Peruvian winemaking. In an industry that can slant toward more conservative values and a play-it-safe strategy, Possamai is a trendsetter in the region blazing a new trail backed by a vineyard that believes in sustainability, imagination, and uncompromising quality. Some of the grapes used at the vineyard include Albilla, Italia, Mollar, Negra Criolla, and Quebranta. Our faves? Sophia L'Orange, Barrel White, Coral, and of course, the Pet Nats. 

We can't talk about Peru's love affair with grapes without mentioning pisco, now can we? Bodega Murga has garnered no shortage of attention for its distinguished piscos, backed by respected heavyweights in the sector and led by master distiller Alberto Di Laura. In fact, the vineyard's new Pisco was just launched last week, so put your refined taste on display and pick up a bottle or two for your bar at home.

Alas, where can one find this nectar of the gods? Many travelers to Lima already come with reservations where exclusive pairings are offered: Maido, Astrid y Gaston, Central, and Siete, among others. You can buy the wine or pisco directly from the vineyard through their website, Bodega Murga, and take back a few bottles to pretend your vacation from Peru never ended. If you're really generous, you can carry them in tow as a gift. But buyer beware, it's so good you may need a backup gift because the chances are high that if you've already tried it, you'll likely keep the bottles for yourself... not talking from personal experience or anything. ;)