Cubanet Sauvignon

By: Chris Brook-Carter - 13 October 2003 18:55

Those of you who can't get enough of Ry Cooder, mojitos and habana cigars, should probably note that Cuba has now begun producing its own wines, through two joint ventures with the Cuban government and European companies from Spain and Italy.
Three years ago Bodegas del Caribe planted 22 varieties of grape brought over from Spain with the goal of adapting them to the climate and soils of the island. The result is 4,000 cases of wine which the company now sells in the island's main hotel chains and the network of stores.
There are now some predictions in local press that possibly from the next harvest the company will begin exporting to the Dominican Republic, the UK and Germany.
The part Italian-owned Bodegas San Cristobal plans its first harvest for February 2004.