The regions of Uruguay
Choose a region to read about its wines and explore the smaller growing areas within it.
- 01Areniscas del Uruguay1 producerAreniscas del Uruguay covers northern Uruguay's wine areas around the Uruguay River in Artigas, Paysandú and Salto. Sandstone occurs alongside calcareous soils in Paysandú and gravelly sites around Salto. The red grape Tannat has a long local history: Pascual Harriague introduced it to Salto around 1870.
- 02AtlánticaNo producers listed yetAtlántica covers wine areas along Uruguay's southeastern coast, especially Maldonado and Rocha. The Atlantic moderates temperatures, and wines can retain fresh acidity. Red grapes include Tannat, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; Sauvignon Blanc and Albariño make whites, with some Maldonado Albariño showing a saline, savoury character.
- 03Cuesta BasálticaNo producers listed yetCuesta Basáltica is a basalt landscape in Uruguay, where an inclined surface descends towards the Uruguay River. Its eastern edge rises sharply, while the west slopes more gently. Eastern Artigas has shallow soils and exposed basalt, in country long associated with sheep farming.
- 04Other producers5 producersThese Uruguayan producers have no more specific region listed.
- 05Piedra AltaNo producers listed yetPiedra Alta is a wine-growing area in Uruguay with rolling hills and rocky slopes. Its vineyards grow on soils formed over crystalline rock and granite.
- 06Río Platense2 producersRío Platense covers Uruguay's Metropolitan wine region of Canelones, Montevideo and San José. Río de la Plata and Atlantic influence, along with regular rainfall, moderate summer heat. The wines can combine freshness with moderate alcohol and noticeable acidity.
- 07Riveras del UruguayNo producers listed yetRiveras del Uruguay covers wine areas along the Uruguay River in Uruguay's Artigas, Paysandu and Salto departments. The climate is hot and humid, with calcareous soils around Paysandu and gravel beneath silty and sandy soils in Salto. Tannat is an important grape, making softer, rounder reds in the Dayman basin.
- 08Rodados del UruguayNo producers listed yetRodados del Uruguay is a grouping on Uruguay's wine map based on soils. It is not a legally delimited appellation.
- 09Sierras del Uruguay2 producersIn southeastern Uruguay, Sierras del Uruguay brings together vineyards across Maldonado and Rocha. Atlantic breezes cool the area, where soils include ancient crystalline rock, gravel and river deposits. Tannat is an important red grape, used for still reds as well as rosé and sparkling wines.