VITeff Veille

Brazil

The areas producing sparkling wines

• The southern part of the country (state of Rio Grande do Sul): 90% of total wine production.
• The north-east (Vale do Rio Sao Francisco)
• In the last five years, the area of Brazil under vines for all types of wine production has increased. Vineyard expansion project for sparkling wines.
• Brazil prohibits imports of vine stocks from France.
• Sparkling wine production is estimated at 8 million litres a year.
• Methods used: traditional method, Charmat method, gasification.
• Grape varieties for making sparkling wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling Italico, Moscato Canelli, Cabernet Sauvignon.
• 14,138 wine makers in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, distributed over an area of 35,263 hectares. Most vineyards are small and family operated.
• The big wine cellars and cooperatives import plants from Europe to ensure uniform grape quality.
  
  The different types of sparkling wines
  
• Sparkling wine: brut, demi-sec and Moscatel (Asti)
• Preparation of a sweet, fruity sparkling wine responding to the taste of Brazilian consumers.
• The consumption of sparkling wines in Brazil (still low compared with other countries) has increased by leaps and bounds in recent years.
• The production of sparkling wines is not a new activity in Brazil. The Salton company, a pioneer in the field, has been producing it for several decades.
  The quality of sparkling wines has improved and is rewarded by international prices.
  
• In the last three years a niche market has developed for half-bottles of sparkling wines. LVMH’s launch of Baby Chandon, a small 187 millilitre bottle of nationally produced sparkling wine, was a great success. Moreover, the sparkling wine called Chandon Brut do Brasil won the gold medal at the 6th Wine Producers’ Competition in Paris.
  
  Development potential
  
  
• Four out of every five bottles of sparkling wine consumed are Brazilian. Consumption is expected to double and the same proportion of Brazilian / imported sparkling wines is expected to be maintained.
  
• Sparkling wine represents the future for Brazilian vine-growing and wine-making.
  
• It will be important to invest in marketing. Promotional activities are essential to increase sales.
  
  Languages for correspondence: Portuguese, English.
  
  Source: Sao Paulo Economic Mission - February 2006.