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Juanico is one of two key wine-growing towns in the Canelones department of Uruguay, the other being Progreso, just a few miles to the south. This is the heartland of the burgeoning Uruguayan industry, located just 10 miles (16km) from the capital Montevideo.
The landscape around Juanico and Progreso is flat and low-lying – 100ft/30m to 200ft/60m above sea level. Topographical changes here are barely perceptible and there is very little terroir variation as a result of this consistent altitude and elevation.
The vineyards that surround Juanico are densely planted with Tannat, the Uruguayan 'icon' grape that produces rich, tannic red wines. So popular is the grape here, and so well suited to the terroir, that there are more Tannat vines planted in this area than anywhere else in the world, Madiran included.
Wines from Juanico are not all made from 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.
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