Brazilian wine
Brazil is Latin America's fourth-largest wine producer.
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Brazilian wine refers to wine produced in Brazil, a country that is the fourth-largest wine producer in Latin America and the 15th largest in the world as of 2019. While much of its vineyard area is dedicated to table grapes, Brazil has developed a notable wine industry, particularly in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, which accounts for 90% of national production. The country's wine regions span latitudes similar to those of Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and Australia, and include the historic Serra Gaúcha region, known for sparkling wine.
Background
The first vines were brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in 1532, planted in São Paulo. Jesuits may have introduced Spanish vines to Rio Grande do Sul around 1626, though the exact date is uncertain, and 18th-century settlers from the Azores brought vine cuttings from Madeira and the Azores. Successful vine plantations began in 1840 with Isabella grapes on the south coast of Rio Grande. By the 1880s, winemaking was established in Serra Gaúcha, largely by Italian immigrants growing American vines.
Did You Know?
- Brazil produced 3.1 million hectolitres of wine in 2018, slightly more than New Zealand.
More in Brazilian cuisine
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Brazilian wine (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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