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The Oceanic wine region, that covers the departments of Maldonado and Rocha in Uruguay, is renowned for its unique terroir that significantly influences the quality and character of its wines. This region of South America is characterized by a temperate oceanic climate, with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall, making it very suitable for viticulture. The soil composition comprises alluvial and gravel soils, which with excelent drainage and heat retention capacity.
Home to grape varieties such as Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Albariño, the Oceanic region has a vibrant viticultural landscape. According to a 2022 report by INAVI, the National Institute of Viticulture, there were 11 vineyards spread across this region. Specifically, the department of Florida boasted 38 vineyards covering 407 hectares, whereas Rocha had four vineyards on a more modest 19 hectares. This distribution underscores the growing significance of this region for Uruguay's wine industry, contributing both to local economies and the global wine market. The Oceanic region's blend of climatic conditions, soil types, and skilled viticulture practices creates a prime environment for producing unique high-quality wines.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
The Oceanic wine region extends along the southeastern coast of Uruguay, and encompasses two departments: Maldonado and Rocha. This region is characterized by its particular landscape, in which hills are mixed with clean sandy beaches and natural vegetation. Each sub-region has a unique landscape. In Maldonado, for example, the terrain has gentle undulations and slopes where vineyards are concentrated. Rocha, on the other hand, has a coastline dominated by rocky cliffs, and is more influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.
The proximity of the ocean not only influences the region's climate, cooling the vineyards with gentle breezes, but is also key to the production of the regional wines, providing subtle saline notes. Amidst the coastal beauty, the rows of vineyards add to the natural beauty of the landscape and are nourished by the many hours of sunshine.
The Oceanic region's captivating scenery, with its harmonious blend of land and sea, sets the stage for the production of unique and flavorful wines.
The Oceanic wine region in Uruguay, covering the departments of Maldonado and Rocha, is characterized by its temperate oceanic climate. This climate is influenced by the region's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata. The climate features a mild temperature throughout the year with enough rainfall, something that enhances the grape-growing conditions.
This region benefits from its geographic location, which results in mild temperatures that are conducive to vine growth. The climate helps to ensure a balanced ripening of grapes, which is key for developing the complex flavors in the wines produced here. Additionally, the area receives enough sunshine, averaging around 6.7 hours per day throughout the year, which is key not only for the photosynthesis process in vineyards, but also for the grapes to develop more concentrated flavors
The combination of these climatic conditions with the region’s alluvial and gravel soils, rich in crystalline rocks and quartz, creates an ideal environment for viticulture.
The Oceanic wine region in Uruguay is characterized by two main soil types, each of them contributing with unique characteristics of the wines of the region
These soil types, combined with the region’s climatic conditions, create a terroir that influences the quality of the grape varieties cultivated in the Oceanic wine region.
Because the wine industry in Uruguay is relatively young, the Oceanic region does not yet have regional sustainability programs. However, it does receive incentives from a national program focused on the production of certified grapes: the Sustainable Viticulture Program, developed by the National Institute of Viticulture (INAVI).
This program seeks to guarantee both the origin and traceability of the grapes used for wine production, to ensure that all grapes are produced using sustainable practices.
Among the practices assessed by this program are:
It should be clarified that this program also certifies wineries, although it only assesses whether or not grapes from certified vineyards are used.
Uruguay's Oceanic wine region has unique climatic and soils conditions, making it an ideal setting for cultivating a variety of grape vines. Within the region, thrive 4 key grape varieties: Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Albariño.
These grapes, coupled with other varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, thrive in the unique terroir of the Oceanic wine region.
Uruguay's Oceanic wine region is renowned for its robust wines, the red Tannat and the white Albariño:
Each wine, whether the robust Tannat or the zesty Albariño, encapsulates the essence of Uruguay’s Oceanic region, offering wine enthusiasts a taste of the rich diversity of new world winemaking.
The Oceanic region has a very interesting winemaking history. Until 1898, it had 389 hectares cultivated with vineyards, but in spite of this, most of that area corresponded to Maldonado. In fact, Rocha only began to take on more relevance in 1930, although it has always had a much lower development than Maldonado. However, the Oceanic region had a decrease in the area represented by vineyards at the national level during the period between 1898 and 1930, reaching 2% during 1930.
At present, although the region still shows a great difference in development between Maldonado and Rocha, the latter department has slowly but progressively increased its cultivated area. For example, in 2022 Rocha had 19 ha of cultivated area, while Maldonado had 407 ha.
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