Wines of Latin America - This Month's Novel Wines Explorer's Club

Welcome to this month's Novel Wines Explorer's Club, the UK's most exciting wine subscription for the curious drinker. Each month, we will introduce you to a new wine region as part of our promise to deliver no two wines the same for a whole year. Not a member yet? Subscribe here.

Looking for an older guide? See all the Explorer's Club guides here.

What's in this month's Explorer's Club?

 

Fausto Brut Sparkling — Serra Gaúcha, Brazil

Brazil may not be the first country that springs to mind for sparkling wine, but Flavio Pizzato makes a compelling case for why it should be. Produced in the cool-climate, high-altitude vineyards of Serra Gaúcha in southern Brazil — a region increasingly recognized for its sparkling wine — this bottle is a vibrant and elegant surprise, crafted in the traditional method with all the finesse you’d expect from far more established sparkling regions.

Made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Fausto Brut offers an inviting nose of lemon peel, green apple, and white blossom, layered with hints of almond and subtle brioche from time spent on the lees. On the palate, it’s dry, lively, and finely textured, with a persistent mousse and crisp acidity that gives the wine real lift and definition. The finish is refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus and toast.

With its method champenoise credentials, precise winemaking, and expressive fruit, Fausto Brut is a testament to Brazil’s emerging potential as a sparkling wine producer. Bright, celebratory, and polished — this is a wine that both surprises and delights, and it’s a perfect companion to light fare or simply enjoyed on its own.

 

 

 

L.A. Cetto Chenin Blanc 2022 — Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

From the sun-soaked valleys of Baja California, this bottle is proof that Mexico’s wine renaissance is well underway. L.A. Cetto is one of the country’s most established producers, and their Chenin Blanc has become something of a modern classic — approachable, expressive, and uniquely shaped by its desert-meets-ocean terroir.

Grown in the Valle de Guadalupe, where hot days are tempered by cool Pacific breezes, this Chenin Blanc showcases a generous aromatic profile. Notes of ripe melon, baked apple, and honeysuckle lead the way, followed by hints of citrus zest and tropical fruit. On the palate, it’s rounded yet fresh, with medium acidity and a pleasing softness that makes it an easy, versatile white. Subtle notes of honey and spice lend weight to the finish without tipping into sweetness.

While Chenin Blanc is better known in the Loire or South Africa, this Mexican expression offers something distinct — sun-ripened fruit with a dry finish, and a sense of place that reflects both tradition and modern confidence. It’s a crowd-pleasing, food-friendly wine that over delivers on charm and character.

 

Fausto Chardonnay 2023 — Serra Gaúcha, Brazil

Continuing our journey through Brazil’s rising wine frontier, we return to Serra Gaúcha with Fausto’s 2023 Chardonnay — a wine that highlights both the region’s cool-climate finesse and the growing ambition of Brazilian still wine production. High altitudes, basalt-rich soils, and a long ripening season provide the perfect setting for a Chardonnay that is both vibrant and refined.

This expression opens with aromas of lemon curd, green apple, and white peach, underscored by a touch of acacia and almond. The palate is clean and linear, with bright acidity and a whisper of creamy texture from subtle lees ageing. The fruit is pure and precise, leaning toward citrus and orchard fruit, with a faint mineral finish that adds poise.

Unlike some broader, oak-driven New World Chardonnays, Fausto opts for restraint and clarity — allowing the fruit and terroir to speak. The result is a wine that is elegant, food-friendly, and unmistakably modern, offering a fresh perspective on a classic grape from a region that deserves more attention.

 

Fallabrino Barbera 2021 — Atlántida, Uruguay

 

Uruguay might be best known for Tannat, but producers like Pablo Fallabrino are proving that this coastal nation has so much more to offer. From vineyards just a few kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, this Barbera offers a distinctive South American take on a classic northern Italian variety — one that’s vibrant, expressive, and full of personality.

In the glass, it shows a brilliant ruby hue and lifts immediately with aromas of sour cherry, wild berries, violet, and subtle spice. The palate is lively and juicy, with Barbera’s hallmark high acidity bringing energy and freshness to the red fruit core. There’s a touch of earthiness and dried herb, with silky tannins and a soft, savoury finish that lingers gently.

Uruguay’s cool maritime climate brings elegance and restraint to this wine, offering something between Old World structure and New World fruit purity. Fallabrino’s low-intervention approach — wild fermentations, minimal oak — lets the grape’s natural character shine through, making this a fascinating and food-friendly red that would surprise even the most seasoned Italian wine lover.

 

 

 

 

Las Piedras Malbec 2022 — Mendoza, Argentina

No exploration of Latin American wine would be complete without a stop in Mendoza, the beating heart of Argentine viticulture. But rather than the blockbuster style often associated with the region, Las Piedras Malbec offers a more nuanced expression — one that balances Mendoza’s generous sun with freshness, texture, and a clear sense of place.

Sourced from vineyards nestled in the foothills of the Andes, this Malbec shows vibrant aromas of black cherry, plum, and violet, layered with hints of graphite, cocoa, and a touch of sweet spice. The palate is supple and medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a lifted acidity that keeps the wine lively and food-friendly, rather than heavy or overripe. A gentle oak influence adds polish without overshadowing the purity of fruit.

With its combination of altitude, sunlight, and alluvial soils, Mendoza produces Malbec with both power and elegance — and Las Piedras is a textbook example. It’s a wine that feels confident without shouting; a polished, versatile red that offers both immediate pleasure and the unmistakable stamp of Argentina’s signature grape.

 

Fallabrino ‘Alcyone’ — Uruguay (NV)

We close our Latin American journey with something truly distinctive — a decadent, head-turning dessert wine that defies easy categorisation. Named after a figure from Greek mythology symbolising calm and serenity, ‘Alcyone’ is the inspired creation of Pablo Fallabrino, blending ancestral Italian winemaking with Uruguayan character and ingenuity.

Made from Tannat, Uruguay’s flagship red grape, this wine undergoes a unique process: it’s part-fermented, partially infused with an aromatic blend of herbs and spices (reminiscent of vermouth), and aged in new oak barrels for around 12 months. The result is unlike anything else in the glass — dark, velvety, and perfumed, with an almost hypnotic depth.

Expect intense aromas of ripe black cherry, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla, lifted by floral and herbal notes. On the palate, it’s sumptuous and silky, with sweetness balanced by gentle tannins and spice. Though rich, it’s not cloying — each sip is layered, warming, and lingering.

Whether enjoyed after dinner, with dark chocolate, or simply on its own, ‘Alcyone’ is an unforgettable experience — a wine that blurs the line between liqueur and dessert wine, crafted with bold vision and extraordinary care. It’s a fitting finale to a case that celebrates Latin America’s diversity, originality, and expressive spirit.