What Are The Brazilian Wine Regions?

What are the brazilian wine regions? Covering a massive 48% of South America, Brazil has about 82,000  hectares of vineyards’ surface area. According to the International Organization Of Vine And Wine, Brazil produces about 1.5 million tonnes of fresh grapes, which 2 million hectoliters turn into wine. Brazil exports 38,000 hectoliters of wine and imports 1.2 million hectoliters with 2 liters of consumption per capita annually. 

Viticulture was first introduced to Brazil back in 1532 when the Portuguese brought vines over and planted them in São Paulo. However, winemaking was a gradual development until the 1970s, when global brands Moët & Chandon and Bacardi invested in wine companies across the country, bringing with them knowledge and experience that helped launch Brazil into the successful wine-producing country emerging today.

Due to its continental dimensions with different climates and soils, Brazil is the only country in the world capable of producing wines in 3 ways: traditional, tropical, and winter viticulture.

A Bottle of Wine Contains More Philosophy Than All the Books in the World.

– Louis Pasteur

You can also watch this and other exclusive GA Originals on YouTube.

Jump To Section

1. Winter Viticulture
2. Traditional Viticulture
3. Tropical Viticulture

Winter Viticulture

Winter viticulture is happening in southeastern Brazil, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais estates, the production of fine wines is located at an altitude of 600 to 1200 m with an average temperature of 19ºC.

The winemakers are doing double pruning in the same year to extend the harvest season of wine grapes to dry winter, enabling the production of high-quality wines. 

Winter wines have a high content of total phenolic compounds, which remained almost constant through aging, as well as color intensity.

Young winter wines are rich in fruity, flowery, fresh, and sweet aromas. Aged winter wines showed sweet, fruity, and woody aromas. The main grape used is Syrah, characterized by a high content of phenolic compounds and color stability and keeps good sensorial characteristics after aging in the bottle.

Traditional Viticulture

Traditional viticulture happens in the South of Brazil, where is the Planalto Catarinense in Santa Catarina, is a new wine-producing region sitting on a high-lying plateau. Another region is Campos de Cima da Serra, which produces elegant reds, aromatic whites, and sparkling wines. 

But the most important wine region in the south of Brazil is the Serra Gaúcha, responsible for 80% of the entire country’s winemaking. Also known as Brazil’s wine capital, the Serra Gaúcha is the country’s first official wine appellation – Vale dos Vinhedos, which was established in 2002. Surrounded by mountains stunning reds, whites, and sparkling wines are produced there. The main grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Tannat, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. 

Tropical Viticulture

Tropical viticulture has been produced at Vale do São Francisco, a semi-arid region between Pernambuco and Bahia states. In theory, the hot and dry, semi-arid area doesn’t work for viticulture.  How do winemakers manage this scenario?

The secret is the irrigation system adapted to collect water from the nearby São Francisco River to offset the heat of an average temperature of 26ºC. Thanks to this vital water source, producers have managed to turn this unlikely wine region into an area known for producing 65% sparklings, 34% reds e 1% whites with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Chenin blanc and Italian Muscat. 

Next time you buy Brazilian wines, remember that there are 3 wine regions to choose from.

Did you like this article?

I hope this article has helped you improve your skills. To learn more, take a look at What Is The History Of Veuve Clicquot And Dom Perignon Champagnes?

Leave a comment below and share our content.

Help our community grow by following our social media on  Spotify,   Instagram,   Facebook,   Youtube, and Tiktok. And stay up to date with the news from the world of Gastronomy.

Don’t forget to tag @gastrovinoacademy on Instagram and hashtag it #gastrovinoacademy.

Cheers 🍷