If we go back a little in the history of the world of wine, we can see that the geographical indications of origin seals were created in Portugal in 1756, with the creation of the first Denomination of Origin in history regulating the production, trade and quality of Port wine, as well as bringing recognition to the producer, highlighting its history, culture and local tradition.
In Brazil, the main grape varieties used in the production of fine wines with the Denomination of Origin (D.O.) seal are found in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Vale dos Vinhedos. As in several wine-producing regions worldwide, the creation of indications of origin and quality has also been applied in Brazil with the guarantee of EMBRAPA - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Its fundamental role is to provide technical support, promotion and encouragement to national wine producers.
The document that underpins the I.P. – Indication of Origin may take a few years to be drawn up and finalized, due to the detailed information presented to the players, who carry out an in-depth survey of the historical and cultural aspects of the area to be certified, in partnership with universities and EMBRAPA itself. Only then can the regulations for the use of the I.P. be drawn up, the area delimited by the Government, and the assessment and recognition by the INPI – National Institute of Industrial Property.
The certification process is requested by an organization of producers or service providers in the region, preferably through an association, in this case, the Association of Fine Wine Producers of Vale dos Vinhedos.
Vale dos Vinhedos was the first region recognized with I.G. - Geographical Indication in Brazil, obtaining its I.P. registration in 2002, through the INPI and, in 2012, achieving the D.O., the first for wines in Brazil.
Details of the D.O. in Brazil:
It has specific requirements for vineyard cultivation, productivity and quality of grapes for winemaking within a delimited region of the Valley. These areas are located between the municipalities of Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Monte Belo do Sul, and for sparkling wines the regions of Altos de Pinto Bandeira, Farroupilha and Bento Gonçalves.
Specific requirements must be followed for vineyard cultivation, productivity and quality of grapes for winemaking within a delimited region of the Valley, located between the municipalities of Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Monte Belo do Sul and, for sparkling wines, in the regions of Altos de Pinto Bandeira, Farroupilha and Bento Gonçalves.
Fine sparkling wines are produced exclusively using the “Champenoise Method” (with a second fermentation in the bottle), in the Nature, Extra-brut or Brut classifications, using Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir grape varieties in this production process.
As for the production of fine white wines, the Chardonnay grape is mandatory and can be blended with Riesling Italic.
Merlot grape is mandatory to produce fine red wines with D.O., which can be blended with wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Tannat grape.
Wines that aged in oak must age exclusively in oak barrels until they can be delivered to the consumer market, following aging standards. For white wines, 6 months of aging; for red wines, 12 months; and for sparkling wines, 9 months in contact with yeasts, in the bubbling phase.
These are wines that present specific analytical and sensory characteristics of the producing region and are only authorized for commercialization after obtaining a certificate of compliance, in relation to the requirements established in the Regulation of Use, by the Regulatory Council of DOs of the Vale dos Vinhedos region.
This entire process is justified when we bring the benefits achieved through it, such as:
Quality improvement of products;
Preservation of the characteristics and typicity;
Increases the added value of products, making the wines easier to place on the consumer market;
Improves demand, creating consumer confidence in the geographical indication label;
Provides legal mechanisms against fraud;
Encourage investment in the production area itself, in technological improvements in the field and in the wine viticulture agroindustry.
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