Best Brazilian Wines | A Beginner’s Guide

Still wondering if and how Brazil produces wine – but would like to know more?! Here are our brief answers to your Top 10 questions:

Actually no, because the majority of vineyards are in the far south, where the climate is much more temperate than elsewhere and the average altitude is relatively high (approx. 500m), which benefits grape growing
Vines are also grown in the more central and northern, tropical, regions but clever viticultural techniques – including additional pruning and winter harvests – ensure the quality of the wines (for example see Guaspari, a winery based in São Paulo state)

Absolutely not! Portuguese colonists first introduced vines to the country in the 16^th century but it was Italian immigrant families in the late 19^thcentury, such as Don Guerino, who established a recognisable winemaking industry
Indeed, the oldest Brazilian winery still in operation today was founded in 1875, so we can say ‘modern’ winemaking has been in existence for nearly 150 years (similar to other South American countries)

Yes, most probably, as Brazil does not have any indigenous varieties. Instead it relies on rootstocks – the root systems of baby vines – imported mainly from Europe
So we find reds such as Merlot, Cab Sauvignon and Shiraz are widely planted but also lesser known varieties such as Touriga Nacional & Alicante Bouschet (Portugal), Teroldego & Ancellota (Italy), Tempranillo (Spain) and Tannat (France)
The most planted whites are Moscato, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & Itálico Riesling, with Semillon, Alvarinho, Torrontés & Viognier some of the more unusual varieties. In 2022 Go Brazil launched an Alvarinho/Assyrtiko/Arinto blend from the Campos de Cima winery

Pizzato

A surprise maybe, but the far south of Brazil, where most grapes are grown, is at a fairly high altitude, sub-tropical and not always very hot: in fact, the region has four distinct seasons, with fog, frosts and snow all regular visitors in autumn/winter! Rainfall is relatively high and not limited to any particular season
These climatic conditions affect the vines, so whites are mainly dry, crisp and aromatic with fresh acidity, while the reds can show subtle, savoury flavours alongside the more expected strong fruit character. Given their strong Italian heritage (see above), we can say that stylistically the wines straddle both the ‘Old’ & the ‘New World’
Only the more premium, normally red, wines are aged in oak, and barrel use is generally restrained, carefully integrated and well balanced. The Pizzato winery, for example, is known for its judicious use of both new and ‘old’ (2^nd/3^rd fill) barrels

Always a difficult one to answer, as it depends on personal taste.. That said, Brazil has delicious, great value sparkling wines, made using both the Traditional and Charmat methods, which have received international critical acclaim. At the forefront of producers is Familia Geisse, whose wines are exclusively Traditional Method (the same technique as used in Champagne)
Due to historical, cultural and climatic reasons, Brazil plants more red varieties than white, so there is a wider choice in the former: robust, well-flavoured reds pair well with the protein-heavy diet enjoyed across much of the country, whereas the whites can be gently aromatic or intriguingly textured – but nearly always with a touch of tropicality!
See also our Premium selection for the very best wines, ideal for special occasions or gifting, with Magnums and Double Magnums also available

Yes! Brazil produces wines in all the main categories: red, white, rosé and sparkling, so you should be able to find a suitable bottle for most meals and celebrations
The natural acidity in Brazilian wines is a real bonus, so sparkling and whites pair well with fish and seafood, while the reds can be served confidently with red and white meat, pasta, spiced dishes and well flavoured cheeses

The vegetarian and vegan movements have grown rapidly in Brazil and it is now the case that the vast majority of Brazilian wineries do not use animal products in the winemaking process
All Go Brazil’s online-listed wines are marked with a symbol indicating whether they are suitable for consumption by vegetarians or vegans

Despite Portugal’s 300 year colonisation of Brazil, its influence on modern Brazilian winemaking is very modest. Native Portuguese grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Roriz, Alvarinho and Arinto are planted, but in very limited numbers, while fortified, ‘Port-style’ wines are seldom found
As mentioned above, it was the subsequent 19^th century Italian immigration which has had a far greater impact, which continues today..

Most wines consumed in the UK (approx. 75%) are purchased in supermarkets but, with only a handful of exceptions, Brazil has not managed to get its wines onto their shelves locally
Put simply, Brazilian wine production is not on the scale of many other countries and most of this is sold into the domestic market (population 215m). Furthermore, the Brazilian wine industry receives limited financial support and its wines do not receive favourable taxation treatment on exports

Wines can be purchased from our online shop subject to availability; we also highlight a Wine of the Month, three Wines of the Season and a Bin Ends selection. Please note our minimum order remains 4 bottles only
Go Brazil also presents its wines at in-person events across the UK, at both private tasting events and consumer shows, e.g. the BBC Good Food Show, Oxford Wine Festival & Cheltenham Wine Festival. Please sign up to our Newsletter to receive updates or send an email to nicholas@gobrazilwines.com if you would like to hold your own Brazilian tasting event
We supply only a limited number of physical shops. If it is not convenient to purchase online, please let us know your location and we will advise if there is a suitable stockist nearby: email nicholas@gobrazilwines.com.

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