Uruguay
Move over Chile and Argentina, there’s a new burgeoning wine region in South America that’s ready for the limelight. While small in size (about the same size as Washington State), Uruguay is mighty when it comes to wine.
The climate in Uruguay is quite different from surrounding regions - it’s more of a mild maritime climate with no subtropical influences, and this means that the country can differentiate itself from its neighbours by producing wines that are more European in style - think less jammy, less alcohol and more structure. Not only that, but you can find excellent quality wines from Uruguay that are very wallet friendly.
The main grape of the country is the red varietal, Tannat. And although the thick-skinned Tannat varietal was born in Southwest France, it has found its home lovingly in Uruguay. The best part, it’s known as one of the world’s healthiest wines (like we need another reason!) due to its super high level of antioxidants.
The white varietal making its mark in the country is Albariño. And while this grape is still very new to the country, it’s really not surprising that it’s been a success so far given the maritime climate Uruguay provides.
The entire country is scattered with wine regions and it’s truly incredible to see the diversity available in such a small country. Here are the main regions that you may be able to spot at your local bottle shops:
Canelones
This region is home to more than ⅔ of the wine made in the country. A few reasons for this include the fertile soils and proximity to the Atlantic. But perhaps even more important is its proximity to the main capital of the country - Montevideo. This access has historically allowed a lot more opportunity to winemakers in this region.
Maldonado
This is an up and coming region in the country, and definitely one to watch. There are now more than a dozen producers who have set up shop here. And it differs from Canelones with rockier soils and cooler temperatures (located just east of Canelones). Most notably, one of the countries leading exporters of Uruguayan wines is actually from this region - Bodega Garzón.
Colonia
Located in the southwest corner of the country, Colonia is a more historic region with sand, gravel, and calcareous soils helping to produce gentle, aromatic wines in both red and white varieties.