The Canelones administrative department, Northeast of the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, is home to the majority of Uruguay's Vineyards and accounts for aRound 60 percent of all wine produced in the country. It Lies in the South of the small South American country, where the majority of vines are planted, inland from the Atlantic coast and the Rio de la Plata estuary.
The region itself covers a broad arc approximately 50km (30 miles) Deep, drawn clockwise from the northwestern outskirts of Montevideo round to the coastline east of the capital city. The eponymous administrative capital of the region lies 50km (31 miles) to the north of Montevideo.
The wine towns of Juanico and Progreso are to be found on this route north out of the capital, separated from one another by just 10km (6 miles). Canelones town lies a further 10km north of Juanico.
The densely planted viticultural area that surrounds these towns is arguably the epicenter of the Uruguayan wine industry. More Tannat vines are planted here than in any other place on earth, including Madiran, Tannat's spiritual home.
Wines from Canelones are made from more than just Tannat, however. A number of different international varieties are used, including light-skinned varieties Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Among the red wine grapes popular here, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot figure strongly. The Carrau family, one of Uruguay's wine pioneers, has had vineyards in this region since 1930, planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay, as well as the northern Italian classics Nebbiolo and Marzemino.
Originally from Italy, it is the famous Sangiovese of Tuscany producing the famous wines of Brunello de Montalcino and Chianti. This variety is registered in the Official Catalogue of Wine Grape Varieties, list A1. According to recent genetic analysis, it is the result of a natural cross between the almost unknown Calabrese di Montenuovo (mother) and Ciliegiolo (father).
red wines from the region of Canelones go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of beef tagliata with truffle oil, slippers with lamb or potjevleesch (meat in a pot).
On the nose in the region of Canelones often reveals types of flavors of oaky, blackberry or earth and sometimes also flavors of oak, red fruit or black fruit. In the mouth in the region of Canelones is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
In recent years, more and more people have been paying attention to Uruguay’s wine scene thanks to the distinctive identity of its coastal regions, which are swept by winds from the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata. The country’s proximity to the ocean and one of the largest rivers on the planet means that the vintage effect is quite prominent here. Each harvest depends on the rainfall, sun and strength of the winds experienced that year. Today, Uruguay has around 5,966ha under vine distri ...
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In recent years, more and more people have been paying attention to Uruguay’s wine scene thanks to the distinctive identity of its coastal regions, which are swept by winds from the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata. The country’s proximity to the ocean and one of the largest rivers on the planet means that the vintage effect is quite prominent here. Each harvest depends on the rainfall, sun and strength of the winds experienced that year. Today, Uruguay has around 5,966ha under vine distri ...
