Wine Tours - Uruguay

Uruguay: South America's Best Kept Secret

From the bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires, we took a boat and crossed the Rio de la Plata. Destination: Uruguay! While Argentina boasts the grandeur of the Andes, Uruguay surprises with an intimate, almost European atmosphere. In Colonia del Sacramento, we not only found a historical gem but also discovered that Uruguay is a wine country bursting with diversity and character.

Colonia del Sacramento: Where Time Plays No Role

Colonia del Sacramento is a town that instantly captures your heart. White houses, winding cobblestone streets, and the iconic lighthouse towering over the city. Although it's only a short crossing from Argentina, the vibe here is completely different. It's slow travel at its finest. You wander through history, enjoy a glass of wine on a riverside terrace, and gaze out over a body of water so wide it looks like a sea.

Uruguay's Vineyards: An Oceanic Climate

Uruguay distinguishes itself from its neighbors through the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. While Mendoza (Argentina) is hot and dry, Uruguay is greener and cooler. This results in wines with natural freshness and a moderate alcohol content. We delved into the key regions:

• Canelones: This is the beating heart of Uruguayan winemaking, located around the capital, Montevideo. Here we found the heavy clay soils where the national pride, the Tannat , thrives.

• Maldonado (Punta del Este): This is the "rising star" region. The soil here is granite, and the vineyards are nestled on rolling hills near the ocean. This is where the most elegant and minerally wines are produced.

• Colonia: In the region where we stayed, the soil is a mix of alluvial deposits and limestone. This gives the wines a unique finesse and freshness.

Tannat: The King with a Gentle Character

In Uruguay, Tannat is the undisputed king. Originally from southwestern France (Madiran), the grape has been tamed here in Uruguay. While the French version can often be abrasive and angular, Uruguayan Tannat is juicier, with silky tannins and notes of ripe black fruit and plums. It's the ultimate wine to pair with an Asado (barbecue).

The Big Surprise: Albariño

The greatest discovery of the trip? Albariño . This grape, world-famous in Galicia, Spain, has found a second home in Uruguay. The maritime climate and constant ocean breezes keep the grapes fresh and healthy. The result in the glass? A wine bursting with citrus, peach, and a striking minerality. It's the perfect partner for fresh fish or a rich paella as the sun slowly sinks into the river.

Why We Are Fans

Uruguay isn't a country of mass production. The wineries (often called Bodegas Boutique ) are small and run by families who prioritize quality over quantity. Besides Tannat and Albariño, international grapes like Cabernet Franc and Merlot are also given a unique twist here: less "jammy," more elegance.