And, most of them say that they are much impressed by the country’s distinctive Tannat wines. Yes, I am speaking about the most celebrated wine grape variety of Uruguay.

This iconic grape is found to be the major reason for the country’s rise in the global wine industry. Now, let’s see about the viticulture and viniculture of Uruguay in detail here…

It is being said that the Tannat vines were introduced by Don Pascual Harriague, who is also a Basque. However, it was only during the second half of the 19th century the commercial production of wine started here.

It’s to be noted that the country was about two centuries behind Chile and Argentina in the wine industry. But, I would say that the country has emerged steadily in the world of wines with a promise of giving some amazing wines to the wine lovers.

A Short Note on Uruguay’s Viticulture

We could see that the majority of Uruguayan wines are produced from the grapes being cultivated in the southern parts of the country, especially in the following departments:

• Canelones
• Montevideo
• San José
• Colonia

We can also observe some viticultural activities in the western parts, more particularly along the Argentinean borders. As a whole, we could see that there are viticultural activities in 15 of 19 departments in the country.

List of Uruguayan Departments with Vineyards

• Artigas
• Durazno
• Florida
• Lavalleja
• Maldonado
• Paysandú
• Rivera
• Rocha
• Salto
• Soriano
• Tacuarembó

We can say that the Tannat variety in all forms is more suitable to the climatic conditions of the South American Continent. In fact, the conditions here are much better than the place of origin of this variety – the Madiran vineyards in the southwestern part of France.

What apart from Tannat can be seen in Uruguay? Well, it can be guessed easily. Almost all the newly developing wine regions are seen cultivating the commercially successful Vitis vinifera vines and Uruguay is not exceptional in this.

Thus, the country is cultivating the following Bordeaux grape varieties:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc

These varieties have acquired an important spot in the dry red wine category of Uruguay. Aromatic Viognier is also more popular among the country’s grape varieties in addition to the Muscat Hamburg variety, which is more important in the bulk rose wine production.

Among the white varieties, we can see that the grape varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc have taken an important spot in the country.

Wine Classification in Uruguay

We can see that there are two levels in the classification of Uruguayan wines, which are:

• Vino de calidad preferente: This is the quality wine category and these wines must be produced using Vitis vinifera varieties.
• Vino común: This is the table wine category.

Wines from Uruguay

Uruguay Red Wine

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