Montevideo

Uruguay is the fourth-largest producer of wine in South America, with a production of 67,000 tonnes and 8,023 hectares of vineyards. It is most known for red wines produced from Tannat grapes (also known in Uruguay as Harriague), but white wines made from Albariño are growing. The wine industry dates back to 1870 when Tannat grapes were introduced by European immigrants with Albariño being introduced in 1954. Tannat is originally a grape found in the region of Madiran AOC in the south west of the country where it makes powerful and tannic red wines. In Uruguay, wines made from Tannat can range from powerful and full bodied that can resemble Port, to lighter wines with fresh raspberry fruits. It takes to oak and blending with Bordeaux varieties, which occurs frequently in Uruguay.

Wine laws are basic with two level of quality: Table Wine, which is often sold in tetra Pak, and Quality Wine which must be sold in bottles of 75cl or less. Regions are only defined by administrative boundaries with no legal definition, but small quantities of wine are made in most areas. The spread of Vitis vinifera grapes is quite recent with vineyards historically being planted with American varieties, though much of these have been replaced. Production, however, is concentrated around the capital city of Montevideo and most is consumed domestically with only small amounts exported.