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The Tannat grape feels right at home in Uruguay's unique soil and climate.

Uruguayan wines are winning the admiration of the world and they have the medals from international competitions to prove it.

With a history of wine production reaching back to the earliest European missionary expeditions, the only question is why it took so long for the rest of the world to notice.

The Tannat grape (also known in Uruguay as Harriague) produces the best known wines from Uruguay, where it bests even France in ideal conditions for full fruition. The result are surprisingly lush, deep reds produced nowhere else.

Among the best reviewed of these full-bodied reds are Pisano, Familia Deicas, Pueblo del Sol, and Bouza.

While vineyards dot the landscape throughout Uruguay, country's wine industry is easy to tour. It is mainly centered in the wine growing regions north of the capital city and Montevideo wine country.

European varieties made from traditional merlot and pinot noir grapes are represented in the top vintages as well. And, despite their growing international reputation, these winemakers remain humble pricing, with the often added advantage of drinking a top shelf wine at table wine cost.

More about Uruguay wineries around the Web:

Wines of Uruguay - An in-depth look at wine growing in Uruguay, along with updates on wines and vintners, listings of wineries and more information on grape varieties and how they grow..

Uruguayan Wine - Wikipedia - Check out the whole history of wine production in Uruguay including a list and map of top wine regions along with photos and related references.