Tannat
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rieslig
Pinot Noir
Merlot
Gewurztraminer
Uruguay is the fourth most important wine producer in South America after Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Uruguayan wines have a long tradition and a growing recognition in the world market. The history of Uruguayan grapes and wines is as old as the country; Vineyards in URUGUAY have a 250 year of history, even though its progressive development began less than a century ago.The first grapevines were brought directly from Spain, as early as the first half of the 18th Century, followed by the Tannat (Harriague) and Folle Noire (Vidiella) from the Southwest Bordeaux-France. The year of 1870 marks the beginning of commercial winemaking. In the 1970’s, the Uruguayan wine industry initiated a new era towards excellency, renewing wine-stocks and perfecting the process of wine making and production. In 1988 the Vitivinicultural National Institute (INAVI) was created to coordinate the efforts of the State and of the wine makers, to develop and modernize the sector and to study and plan its economy. It promotes quality and disseminates knowledge of wine as a means to stimulate its consumption. Consequently, Uruguayan viticulture has changed considerably over the past twenty years. The new plantations were mainly established with French imported vines of noble varieties. The wines produced from the new plantations are elaborated with modern techniques, and their type and quality allows them to compete with some of the world´s finest wines. The wines from Tannat grape are wines that will repay keeping, although, they are already drinking well now. Made in a number of styles, this grape is a deeply colored, tannic, astringent and intense.
Today about two dozen of Uruguay´s 280 wineries, which are mainly small, family-owned operations, export wines to the United States, and other markes such as Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Central America, Canada, Asia and several countries in Europe. "...Tannat is indubitably URUGUAY'S best variety. it is made in a broad variety of styles: everything from fruity roses to sturdy, cellar-worthy reds. Some producers age their wines in large old barrels, some favour stainless steel or epoxy-lined cement, and a few are experimenting with smaller French and American oak......." "Decanter" May 1999
Uruguay is in the Southern band of vine production and present four well differenciated seasons. It is on the Atlantic coast, south of Brazil, but north and east of Argentina. With a population of only 3.2 million people, Uruguay has a diverse, European-based culture. Today´s Uruguayans, mainly third - and fourth generation descendants of Europeans - primarily Spanish, Italian and French, have the highest liceracy rate in South Almerica. Uruguay has five hectares of fertile land per inhabitant. It is the first country in the world to use its land for natural produce. Vast plains, a dense water network and a temperate climate all the year round, allow for excellent results in cattle, farming, agriculture and forestry. Uruguay has almost seven hundred kilometres of coast not only provide good fishing, but also vast beaches, known world-wide for the exceptional quality of their fine white sand. Uruguay is especially suited for producing wine because of its privileged location and parti cularly productive land for grape cultivation. Uruguay is situated in a typical warm sub tropical area, between 30 and 35 degrees south, at the same latitude as the best grape growing regions of Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Uruguay is a mostly flat and humid country. Its enjoys an average annual temperature of 18 Celsius (65F), 39.4 inches of annual precipitation, mild summers, and cool nights. Taking temperature into account, it may be seen that in all cases the lowest marks are located in the north (Department of Artigas). Maximum average temperatures of the hottest month take pla ce mainly at the North of Rio Negro (Black River), and the lowest at the South. On the contrary, minimum average temperatures of the coldest month take place at the Northern and highest in the South. Southern Uruguay gets hot during the day but quite cool at night, making for good acidity. Warm temperatures provide for good dark color in the reds with solf tannins. Making some comparisons, the geography and soils resemble those of the right bank of Bordeaux -- Entre Deux Mers --. They produce fine wines with plenty of body and colour for reds thanks to clay-rich topsoils but also with freshness from cool, limestone subsoils. The climate of Uruguay is warmer than Bordeaux, with a similar maritime influence but plenty of humidity. The country is divided into nine regions according to the characteristics of the grapes cultivated. About 90 percent of the land planted with vine is located in the Southern region, 5 percent is in the Southwestern region, with the remainder in the Central and Southeastern regions. Uruguay has an area of 68,322 square miles, twice the size of Austria, and almost one and a half times the size of the state of Alabama in the USA. Uruguay has at present (end of 2004) 9.000 hectares of wineyards and the total production of wine is around 90-95 million liters per year, 35% red; 22% rose,11% white and the rest mix (clarete). The total annual consumption is 97 million of litters, equivalent an average about 30-33 liters per capita. Its geographic location in South America´s Southern Cone coupled with other important facilities, such as banking and communications, have allowed Uruguay to guarantee its reliability as an exporting country for Latin America, as well as for Europe. Uruguay exports four percent of total production or 3.5 million liters. Fine wine accounts for 30 to 35 percent of total production. The growth of exports has been considerable lately; 3.1 million liters, in bottles of 750 ml., were exported in 2000 compared to 220 thousand liters, mostly in bulk, in 1995. The varieties planted are mainly Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonay, Viognier, Muscat Ottonel, Muscatel, etc. The climate, soil and topography of Uruguay resembles to the Bordeaux region in France, with moderate temperatures not greater than 35ºC. It helps, the closeness to the Atlantic Ocean that mitigates high temperatures during the summer months. The majority of the soils are calcareous (clay mud with a high percentage of calcareous soil), and the topography is gently rolling with good natural drainage.
The technology of Uruguayan wineries is traditional. Nevertheless most wineries are combi ning tradition withlow temperature pre-fermentative maceration and with carbonic maceration elaboration. The technology ensures strict quality control of the products and enables the control of virus carriers. Also, the Virus Free Grape-vines Certification Program has worked toward the elimination of viruses.