The attentive and meticulous eye of winegrowers on the different varieties of vines is a basic premise to achieve a fine wine of quality.
The care taken in the cultivation of these grape varieties has a direct impact on the quality of the grapes and, consequently, on the quality of the wine produced.
The most important words used by Viti viniculture professionals are – grapevine, vine and vineyard – as well as the difference and relationship between them.
Grapevine, plant that gives rise to fruits (grapes), which are later transformed into wine of different styles and qualities.
By vine means the set of vines located and cultivated on soil, with distinct characteristics, which receive a quantity of sunlight, within a specific region, among other environmental and human factors that contribute to its development.
Finally, the vineyard, a set of vines regularly arranged in straight and parallel rows, in an area suitable for vine cultivation.
But how to distinguish the different types of grape varieties?
Winegrowers will always be aware of the genus Vitis, which belongs to the botanical family Vitaceae. And, although there are countless varieties, only a few are relevant to them, they are: Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, Vitis rupestres and Vitis riparia. Vitis vinifera is the oldest variety, with evidence of its cultivation dating back to around 6,000 BC.
In the southern region of Brazil, the grape varieties that have stood out with splendor, in areas with Appellation of Origin (D.O.) and Indication of Provenance (I.P.), are:
D.O. Altos de Pinto Bandeira - the entire cultivation and production process follows exclusively the Champenoise method, including the elaboration of the base wine and the second fermentation in the bottle.
Sparkling wine can only be sold after being subjected to differentiated and specific chemical quality standards, referring to the D.O. of the Asprovinho Regulatory Council, giving authenticity to the production requirements established in the Technical Specifications Booklet, thus certifying the conformity of the product.
100% of the grapes grown in delimited areas follow specific requirements for their cultivation, with three varieties of Vitis Vinifera L. being allowed: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Italic Riesling, the latter participating with a maximum of 25%.
Each bottle of sparkling wine has a control seal numbered D.O. Altos de Pinto Bandeira, enabling product traceability.
D.O. Vale dos Vinhedos - fine sparkling wines are made exclusively by the Champenoise method for the Nature, Extra-brut or Brut classifications. The mandatory grape varieties for production are Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir.
It is mandatory to produce fine white wines to use the Chardonnay grape, which can be combine with the Italic Riesling grape.
For fine red wines with D.O., the Merlot grape is mandatory, can be mixed with wines made with wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Tannat grapes.
Wines aged exclusively in oak barrels, with white wines remaining for a minimum period of 06 months; red wines aged for 12 months; and fine sparkling wines for a minimum period of 09 months in contact with yeasts in the bubbles phase.
They have analytical and sensory characteristics specific to the region and have obtained a certificate of compliance in relation to the requirements established in the Regulation for the Use of D.O. Regulatory Council.
IP Altos Montes - located in the Serra Gaúcha, it has the highest geographical levels, with mountains that reach 885m in altitude. Pioneer region in the introduction and spread of Vitis vinifera grape varieties since 1930, with at least 85% of the grapes are produced in the delimited area.
Some examples of the most used grapes in the region are:
Fine White wine and Rosé wine: Chardonnay, Riesling Italic, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Fine dry Red Wine can be made with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Ancellotta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Tannat varieties.
Each bottle receives a control seal numbered I.P. Altos Montes, after having been subjected to the control of standards of the I.P. Regulatory Council, ensuring compliance with the requirements established in the regulation of use, enabling product traceability.
I.P. Monte Belo - achieving its recognition in 2013, it has the lowest altitudes in the Antas River Valley. The municipality of Monte Belo do Sul is the largest per capita producer of grapes of the Vitis vinifera variety in Latin America, 16t per capita/year.
The vines are submitted to productivity and maturation controls to ensure a higher quality of the wine, with 100% of the grapes used in wine production are produced within a delimited area.
Varietal fine dry Red Wine is made with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat grapes, which must have at least 85% wine from the varietal grape.
Varietal Red Wine must have 40% Merlot, plus blends of a maximum of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Tannat, Ancellota or Alicante Bouschet.
Varietal fine dry White Wine is made with Italic Riesling or Chardonnay grapes, which must have at least 85% wine from the grape of the varietal. They must have a minimum of 60% Italic Riesling and 20% Chardonnay.
Each bottle receives a control seal numbered I.P. Monte Belo, after having been subjected to the control of standards of the I.P. Regulatory Council, ensuring compliance with the requirements established in the regulation of use, enabling product traceability.
I.P. Vinhos de Altitude de Santa Catarina - the region was structured in this century and its delimitation is in the coldest and highest altitude region of the state of Santa Catarina, South of Brazil. For wine production, 100% of the grapes must be produced in a defined area, in vineyards located at altitudes above 840 meters.
Wines produced in the region with the designation of Indication of Provenance (I.P.), can be marketed only after having been subjected to controls by the I.P. Regulatory Council, ensuring compliance with the requirements established in the Regulation of Use. Each bottle receives a control seal numbered I.P. Vinhos de Altitude de Santa Catarina, enabling product traceability.
Source: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
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