4 Reasons Why Uruguayan Wine Is Captivating the World

When South American wine enters the conversation, Chile and Argentina are most likely to dominate, and for good reason.

That conversation is evolving, thanks to Uruguayan wine. Uruguay has been making world-class wine for decades; it’s just taken a bit longer for the world to notice.

Here are 4 reasons why Uruguayan wine is rapidly moving from hidden gem to the world’s newest must-have bottles.

Uruguay has a mature wine culture.

The influence of Spain and France on Uruguay is profound. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive, and of course they brought vine cuttings with them. Fortunately, the climate and soils of Uruguay were ideal for these new grape varieties, and the Uruguayan wine industry was born.

France exerted its influence with the 1838 arrival of Pascual Harriague, a young Basque who was the first to grow Tannat successfully in Uruguay. Tannat is from the southern French region of Madiran, and like so many other international varieties, it flourished in Uruguay’s temperate climate.

Sadly, the infamous root-feeding insect phylloxera, which has done more to damage grapevines than any other insect in history, wreaked its havoc on Uruguay in the late nineteenth century. When it came time to replant, Harriague’s success with Tannat was not forgotten, and Tannat became the foundational red grape of modern Uruguayan wine.

Mature wine cultures care about what they’re drinking. They expect quality to reach a certain level. Uruguayan wine has more than satisfied the criteria.

Uruguay has the perfect terroir for world-class wine.

It can get hot in Uruguay. Really hot. Mercifully, Uruguay has 410 miles of coastline, which allows cool Atlantic breezes to temper the heat and prolong the growing season. This allows the grapes to ripen with as much flavor as possible, without reducing them to raisins.

Proximity to the Atlantic is one of the key factors grape growers consider before planting, which is why the epicenter of Uruguay’s fine wine industry is just north of their coastal capital of Montevideo.

Given the amount of red meat consumed in the capital city (and everywhere in Uruguay, for that matter), it doesn’t hurt that some of the country’s best Tannat wines are a relatively quick drive north.

There is an incredible variety of Uruguayan wine.

Uruguayan wine is much more than Tannat.

Among other red grapes, growers have had success with the delicate Pinot Noir, the Italian Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

White grapes also thrive in Uruguay. Sauvignon Blanc is arguably the most successful, given the 92-point rating given to the 2019 Marichal Sauvignon Blanc, a wine GVI Wines is proud to offer.

Whether you’re looking for a casual red to enjoy on a Tuesday night after work or a bottle for a special occasion, Uruguayan wine has something for every palate.

Uruguayan wine is enjoying international recognition. Finally.

Uruguayan Tannat used to be rough and tannic, but as growers and winemakers began to understand the grape’s best sites, more elegant styles emerged, and critics swooned.

Renowned wine critic James Suckling now devotes entire reports to Uruguayan wine, and more hallowed publications such as Wine Spectator are recognizing Uruguayan wines on its Top 100 wines of the year list.

Marichal again features prominently, as their 2018 Premium Varietal Tannat placed 61st on Wine Spectator‘s Top 100 Wines of 2020 list, the first Tannat to rank as highly.

Did we mention wine tourism? With COVID restrictions easing, if you crave a visit to Uruguayan wine country after a sip or two of their wines, they are ready to welcome you with open arms, Marichal especially.