This competition brought together 140 wines from 5 countries.
Placed under the patronage of the OIV and the International Union of Oenologists (Union Internationale des Œnologues), this competition promotes wines made from Tannat – an emblematic vine variety in Uruguayan vitiviniculture.
While on this visit, Jean-Marie Aurand met with the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr José Luis Cancela, in the presence of the INAVI (National Institute of Vitiviniculture) President, José Lez Secchi, in order to look into how to organise the future OIV Congress, which will be held at the end of November 2018 in Punta del Este. The Vice-Minister expressed his delight that Uruguay was able to host the Congress and reaffirmed his country's full support for the OIV.
In 2016, Uruguay produced 104 500 tons of grapes from 6745 hectares, 97% of which are dedicated to vinification. Red vine varieties represent 80% of the vineyard surface area, with Tannat in the lead (25%) followed by Muscat of Hamburg (19%) and Merlot (11%).