546 WINE LAW institution, directed by businessmen and with the support of the nation’s executive power – that it takes on the challenge of promoting, advising and developing the wine sector. Uruguay’s wine culture has had a decisive influence from the immigrant movement from Spain, Italy and France, to the point that, in the 19th century, most of the producers were foreigners. Today, Uruguay exports to the most diverse destinations and has won awards worldwide, consolidating its position as a quality exporting country recognised worldwide. The main varieties are, among others, Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Albariño. 2. NATIONAL WINE INSTITUTE (INAVI) The Uruguayan National Wine Institute was created specifically to meet the requirements of the wine industry reconversion, establishing, in each harvest, after a technical opinion, the date of sale and release of wines produced in the country, subject to compliance with regulatory requirements. It also entails establishing the maximum grape production yield per variety and per hectare, to be used for winemaking for the domestic market or other destinations. Another of INAVI’s priorities is to determine, in each harvest, the minimum alcoholic strength for wine circulation according to the wines’ classification and determine the oenological products authorised for corrections. Moreover, INAVI seeks to automatically update, every six months – each January and July –, according to the variation of the consumer price index (CPI) and the rate of promotion. Furthermore, INAVI is also responsible for the Reconversion Fund, the purpose of which is, through the mechanisms established by regulations, to compensate the winegrowers affected by climatic phenomena, reduce insurance premiums, expand their coverage and promote the reconversion of vineyards and industrial processing plants, as well as the incentive for the export of wine products (artt. 13-14 of Law 18.4622). It has also been established an Integral Protection Fund for vineyards, which is administered by the INAVI’s Board of Directors (previously administered by INAVI and supervised by an Honorary Supervisory Commission). The National Viticulture Institute was created by Law 15.903 of 10 November 1987 (artt. 141-154) and with the concordant and modifying laws 2 Amending articles 2 and 3 of Law 16.311 of 15 October 1992.
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