Tacna

Peru's southernmost wine region has cultivated vines for more than 400 years. Tacna's main valley includes Pocollay, Calana, Pachía and Magollo, alongside the Uchusuma and Caplina rivers. Rainfall is scarce, and vineyards reach 1,300 metres. Near the coast, conditions are subtropical, arid and humid; farther inland, they shift toward temperate desert with lower humidity. Negra Criolla is one of Tacna's principal red grapes, with Malbec, Syrah and Quebranta also prominent. Moscatel de Alejandría, also known as Italia, is the leading white variety. Local wines include dry Negra Criolla, Malbec, Borgoña and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with semi-dry and other red styles. Negra Criolla can have light herbal and floral notes, while Italia has herbal, citrus and sweet-smelling aromas. The protected pisco geographic area also includes Tacna's Locumba, Sama and Caplina valleys.