uruguay

When it comes to caviar you traditionally have a choice between the incredibly expensive and increasingly scarce wild variety from the Caspian Sea, the farm-raised variety produced with varying degrees of success around the globe, and a host of sub-par imitation or substitute options. Black River Caviar from Uruguay has ushered in a newer contender that aims to fit in somewhere between the first two and be the best of both worlds, dubbed "wild-raised." The process involves replicating the sturgeon's natural habitat as closely as possible.

Black River Ossetra Malossol Caviar is produced from Siberian sturgeon, originally imported as fertilized roe from Russia in 1995. The sturgeon are fed an all-natural, organic feed. Black River's facilities are harmoniously adapted to the environment and best utilize the pristine natural habitat that is Uruguay's Rio Negro. Unlike most farm-raised systems, which involve recirculated water requiring treatment with filters and chemical products, Black River uses millions of gallons of fresh water.

The system involves a fresh water lake whose environment corresponds very closely to that of the lake-like Caspian Sea with its slow and natural water streams, as well as a "raceways" system, which is a perfect simulation of the river delta and its requisite rapids. The volume of water running through the system guarantees a totally unspoiled environment in which the water is naturally oxygenated when flowing through a cascade system, simulating the female fishes' natural journey up the river.

The continuous exercise the sturgeon get in this environment from constantly swimming against the fresh water streams allows them to grow and mature in a fashion which ensures a quality akin to their wild counterparts. After harvesting, Black River's Russian Caviar Master uses the malossol, or "little salt" method, to enhance flavor of the finished product. The delectable large grain caviar (above), has a fresh, clean, nutty taste, and creamy texture. Ice cold vodka is the perfect accompaniment, but champagne works well too.

We've seen plenty of developments in Mexico but today we are looking at a development a little further south. Laguna Estates is located near the resort town of Punta del Este on the southern tip of Uruguay and is one of the most popular resort towns in all of South America. Laguna Estates is a small community of 11 chacras, traditional landed estates, that are part of a 240 acre community that includes Laguna Blanca lake and is located less than a mile from the ocean. The chacras range from 15 to 20 acres. Amenities include a heliport, 24-hour security and a concierge service as well as access to tennis, a spa and a beach club at the nearby Mantra Hotel. Perhaps the most interesting amenity is the wine club which will offer each chacra owner a cask of their own wine made from vineyards owned by Laguna Estates. According to a recent article, supermodel Natalia Vodianova and her husband Justin Portman have bought into the project.