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URUGUAY
Uruguay benefits from a very favourable environment
Uruguay is a country of rivers and streams, located between Argentina and Brazil, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the emblematic Rio de la Plata, the widest river in the world. The natural environment is highly protected with pure waters, healthy agriculture and viticulture, and extensive livestock farming, the country's main resources.
Due to its privileged geographical position, Uruguay has become in a few years the 4th wine-growing country in South America and Uruguayan wines are now recognized for their high quality by wine lovers. The vineyards are located between the 30th and 35th parallel south, as in the other major wine-growing countries of the southern hemisphere (Argentina, Chile, Australia and New Zealand).
Climatic conditions are mild in Uruguay with plenty of sunshine throughout the year and moderate temperatures and rainfall.
A family and traditional viticulture born in the 19th century
Viticulture was introduced to Uruguay by the Spanish in the early 17th century but it was only around 1870 that it really took off, when Basque immigrants brought with them the Tannat grape, originally from Madiran in southwestern France.
The main Uruguayan viticultural regions are Colonia, Carmelo, Rivera, Montevideo and Canelones, the most important of which is located 50 kilometres north of Montevideo.
Today's viticulture is structured around small, family-run and artisan estates mostly run by European immigrants, with mainly French and Spanish grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Tannat for red wines, Sauvignon and Torrontés for white wines.
The Tannat grape variety, emblem of Uruguayan wines
The Tannat grape variety has adapted particularly well to the Uruguayan terroir and has become the emblematic grape variety of Uruguayan wines.
It makes it possible to produce rich and powerful wines, with characteristic aromas of black fruits and spices, and very structured. While French Madiran wines take a few years to appreciate and are made for long ageing, Uruguayan wines are more supple and easy to enjoy in their youth.
Tannat, whose name is derived from tannin, is one of the grape varieties richest in phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, antioxidants, resveratrol)
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