Wine from Brazil is still an exotic product in Europe, although the country, which is primarily associated with soccer, has long since left the status of an emerging country in terms of viticulture. Today, there are approximately 90,000 hectares of vineyards, although just under half are reserved for the production of table grapes. Many vineyards are also planted with hybrid vines such as the Isabella because of the warm and humid climate, as these have proven to be less susceptible to rot diseases. Still, some 12,000 hectares are planted with the Vitis vinifera vines familiar from Europe, and the trend is rising.
Brazil is the third largest vine growing nation on the South American continent and has long been among the world's top twenty in terms of production and exports. The famous Champagne house Moet & Chandon realised as early as the 1970s that the country had good ageing potential and founded a company in the deep south of Brazil. Today, Chandon produces high-quality sparkling wines here and the house has found imitators. Between them all a sparkling wine culture is being established.
Viticulture has a long tradition in Brazil; the first vines were planted by immigrants as early as the 16th century. Today, the main area for Brazilian viticulture is in the deep south, in the Rio Grande do Sul region, on the border with Uruguay. The best-known subregion is the Valle dos Vinhedos, the wine valley, where most producers are based and at least some of them produce remarkably good wine. The Rio Grande do Sul region is also home to one of the largest winegrowers' cooperatives (1,500 members) in the world.
Wine is produced from the international grape varieties also known in other Latin American countries, which are bottled as a cuvée or single-vineyard. Vineyards in the north, around the 3rd and 4th degrees of latitude near the equator, are a special feature. These vines can actually be harvested twice a year.
