Uruguay

Viticulture got off to a later start here, compared to the other countries in South America. The first vines were imported from Spain in the mid-17th century. The first documents confirming viticulture was in progress date from 1776. The first commercial wine estate was founded in 1870 by a Spaniard, Pascal Harriague, close to Salto in the district of the same name, he planted Tannat vines, which had been introduced by Basque immigrants, on an area of around 200 hectares. In his honour, the grape is sometimes also referred to as the Harriague grape. Today, some Tannat vineyards in Uruguay are more than 100 years old. At the time, large areas were also planted with hybrid grape varieties such as Isabella, but these are no longer important. Red varieties account for around 75% of the total area, the most important are Tannat (19%), Moscatel Hamburgo (16%), Merlot (9%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%), Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Syrah and Isabella. The remaining 25% of the area is accounted for by white varieties, the most important of these are Ugni Blanc (8%), Chardonnay (1,5), Viognier (0,4%), Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chenin Blanc, Muscat Blanc, Riesling, Sémillon, Muscatel Ottonel and Torrontés. Table grapes do not play an important role, they account for less than 4% of the total.

Five wine-growing regions were instituted in 1992, they are referred to simply as the southern, southwestern, central, northwestern and northern regions. The total vineyard area is around 10.000 hectares. The soils are generally loose sandy and clay soils. There are around 270 wine producers, most of which date back to Italian or Spanish immigrants, and have been in family hands for several generations. Around 60% of the vineyard area is located in the south of the country, in the delta of the Rio de la Plata river, to the west of Montevideo, in the districts of Canelones, San José and Montevideo. Small vineyard areas are also to be found in the hotter zone north of the Rio Negro. The climate is Mediterranean to subtropical, with warm summers and ample rainfall, very well suited for viticulture. Annual production is around 90.000 to 100.000 hectolitres of wine, most of which is consumed within the country. Uruguay has the second-highest per capita consumption of wine in South America, after Argentina.

The first specialist college for wine growing in Uruguay was founded in 1948, the „Escuela de Vitivincultura” in the capital city of Montevideo. The „Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura” (INAVI) was founded by wine producers as a private body in 1987, its duty is to promote the quality of wine, and also exercises certain control functions. Wines for export are subjected to chemical and sensory analysis by the „Labaratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay” (LATU). The wines are classified as Vinos de Mesa (country wines) and Vinos Finos (quality wines).The latter category is permitted to state „VCP” (Vinos de Calidad Preferente) on the label, and may only be bottled in sizes of 750 ml or less. The regulations specify a minimum alcohol content of 10,5% vol, a maximum of 0,80 g/l acidity and a maximum of 200 mg/l of sulphur. An individually numbered seal must be affixed to the bottle capsule, this is issued by INAVI. The label may, but does not have to, state a vintage and grape variety, if a variety is named it must comply with international standards, i.e. it must make up a minimum of 85% of the contents of the bottle. Relatively dark rosé wines in the style of a Clairet are very popular, they account for 20% of production. Traditionally, red (Torrontes, Moscatel Hamburgo, Isabella) and white wine grape varieties are processed together for this.

Among the largest and best-known producers are: Ariano, Beretta, Bouza, Bruzzone & Sciutto, Carrau (best-known brands are Castel Pujol, Cerro Chapeu, with Freixenet and Jacques Lurton being involved), Castillo Viejo, Dante Irurtia, Leonardo Falcone, Viñedos y Bodega Filgueira, Juanicó (Joint Venture with Château Pape-Clément), Marichal, Pisano, Pizzorno, Plaza Vidiella, Rincón de Carrasco, Los Cerros de San Juan (Joint Venture with LVMH), Stagnari, Juan Toscanini e Hijos, Viña Varela Zarranz and Vinos de La Cruz.