Made in Brazil: Why You Should Try Brazilian Sparkling Wines

For those who love bubbles, exploring new horizons is essential. So, let’s set aside Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava for a moment and take a sip of Brazilian sparkling wines. As a proud Brazilian and a sparkling wine enthusiast, I’m thrilled to say that Brazil is producing sparkling wines of exceptional quality and increasingly gaining global recognition from experts and consumers alike all over the globe.

Following global trends, the sparkling wine market in Brazil has been growing steadily year after year. In 2023, Brazil produced approximately 24 million litres of sparkling wine and set a record in exports, exceeding $12.7 million in revenue, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) data. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years.

Currently, Brazil is the largest producer of sparkling wines in Latin America, and a recent report by the Brazilian Wine Institute (UVIBRA) indicates that sparkling wines account for about 25% of the country’s total wine consumption.

Quality Sealed by Origin

A major leap in the quality of Brazilian sparkling wines came with the adoption of PGIs (Protected Geographical Indications) and PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin). These regulations certify and protect the unique characteristics of each region, ensuring that wines from these areas follow specific production methods and rules, maintaining their quality and authenticity.

Brazil’s six main wine-producing regions are in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, responsible for 90% of the country’s total wine production. Among these regions is Serra Gaúcha, the heart of the sparkling wine production in Brazil. Serra Gaúcha is home to the most important Designations of Origin (DOs) for sparkling wines: DO Vale dos Vinhedos (Brazil´s first DO) and the newly recognized DO Altos de Pinto Bandeira, the first PDO in the Southern Hemisphere created exclusively for sparkling wines.

Both regions boast an extraordinary terroir for sparkling wines, with a temperate and subtropical climate, mild summers and cold winters, well-draining soils, and altitudes ranging from 400 to 900 meters.

DO Vale dos Vinhedos and DO Altos de Pinto Bandeira

Sparkling wines from DO Vale dos Vinhedos and DO Altos de Pinto Bandeira are exclusively produced using the traditional method, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as the major grapes. Riesling Itálico (a legacy from Italian immigrants) may also be used – up to 25%. The minimum maturation period is 9 months for DO Vale dos Vinhedos and 12 months for DO Altos de Pinto Bandeira. Every product must pass a sensory evaluation conducted by a tasting commission under the supervision of the DO’s Regulatory Council.

Grape Varieties and Production Methods

One of the most fascinating aspects of Brazilian sparkling wines is their diversity in styles. Like many sparkling wine-producing regions worldwide, Brazil uses various production methods: Traditional, Tank, and Asti.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the primary grapes for traditional method sparkling wines, those where the second fermentation occurs inside the bottle and wine remains maturing with the lees for months, according to each region’s legislation. The traditional method is predominantly used for premium sparkling wines, offering complexity and elegance. Ageing on the lees imparts complex aromas like toasted bread and dried fruits, which complements the fruitiness perfectly.

Glera (the Prosecco grape) is widely used for tank method sparkling wines, where the second fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks. Sparkling wines produced by the tank method typically show a young and fruity character. They are usually more affordable sparkling wines.

Meanwhile, the Asti Method is employed for Muscat-based sparkling wines, distinguished by their sweet profile, delicate freshness, and lower alcohol content.

Global Recognition

Brazilian sparkling wines are earning the recognition they deserve. In recent years, Brazilian wineries have won prestigious awards in international competitions.

In October this year, I served as a judge at the Brazil Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in São Paulo, organized by Zoraida Lobato and Eduardo Viotti. The competition brought together judges from six countries to evaluate over 400 samples of wine and spirits. Among these, dozens of sparkling wines showcased their ever-improving quality. Liz Palmer, a Canadian wine critic and panel chair at the CMB, said, “I was highly impressed by the quality and craftsmanship exhibited in tasting Brazilian sparkling wines. It is impressive to see how this category has emerged.”

Technological advances have played a crucial role in building Brazil’s image abroad. Still, a significant part of this success comes from the Wines of Brazil project, an initiative promoted by ApexBrasil in partnership with UVIBRA, which facilitates Brazilian wineries entry into international markets. According to César Baldasso,

Foreign Trade Manager, wineries participating in the Wines of Brazil project won over 390 international awards in 2022 alone.

Brazilian Sparkling Wines to Explore

Notable examples of sparkling wines include labels from Chandon, Miolo, Salton, Casa Valduga, Cave Geisse, and Valmarino, the last two from the DO Altos de Pinto Bandeira.

Chandon Brazil: Part of the LVMH group, Chandon Brazil was established by Moët & Chandon in 1973. It introduced modern techniques and lots of investments in the country, consistently delivering great quality sparkling wines.

Miolo Wine Group is a leader in Brazilian wine exports. Miolo offers a wide range of sparkling wines. The Miolo Millésime Brut stands out for its finesse and elegance.

Salton is one of Brazil’s oldest wineries, known for producing accessible yet high-quality wines. Salton Ouro Extra Brut is widely enjoyed domestically and abroad. Salton Prosecco Brut received a gold medal at the recent competition Effervercents du Monde 2024 and appeared as one of the Top 10 sparkling wines in the world.

Casa Valduga, known for its traditional method sparkling wines, is one of Brazil’s most traditional wineries. Casa Valduga 130 Brut is a classic, with great structure and well-balanced.

Cave Geisse was founded by the renowned Chilean winemaker Mario Geisse. This winery is a symbol of good quality sparkling wines and consistently wins national and international prizes. Jancis Robinson even included Cave Geisse in her list of 15 producers shaping the future of the wine world. Oz Clarke, UK wine critic, named Cave Geisse among the four best sparkling wines in the world, including it in the ”my favourite wines” section of his pocket. I love Cave Geisse Brut; for me, it’s a must-try.

For Steven Spurrier, renowned wine critic, Brazil is a revelation in the sparkling wine scene. “Brazil might not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking of sparkling wines, but it shouldn’t be the last. Its potential is remarkable”, he said. This statement highlights the quality and uniqueness of Brazilian sparkling wines.

So, if you haven’t tried a Brazilian sparkling wine yet, you should. You won’t be disappointed! Brazilian bubbles are versatile, accessible, and perfectly suited to any occasion.

Cheers—or as we say in Brazil, Saúde!