The Winery Cantera Montes de Oca of Canelones

Discovering the wine region of Canelones

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.