Other SA

Question 1

What is unique about Brazil’s new Origin Indications system?

Answer 1

Both yields and grape varieties are restricted (in the manner of European appellation systems).

Question 2

What is the dominant grape of Uruguay? What is the traditional local name, and where does it come from?

Answer 2

Tannat

Harriague, named for Pascual Harriague, a Basque immigrant who first planted Tannat in Salto in 1870.

Question 3

What is Brazil’s annual output? Where does that place them in overall production?

Answer 3

84.5 million gallons annually; fifth largest producer in the Southern Hemisphere (after Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and Chile)

Question 4

What are the most common varieties for Brazilian table wine? Table wine accounts for what quantity of plantings and production?

Answer 4

Labrusca varieties, specifically Isabella, Bordo, and Niagara
75% of all plantings, and 66% of production

Question 5

Where is most Brazilian fine wine produced, and from what grape species?

Answer 5

Serra Gaúcha

Vinifera

Question 6

Name three major firms in Brazil, and four mid-size houses.

Answer 6

Miolo, Salton, Aurora (co-op)

Chandon Brazil, Garibaldi (co-op), Perini, Casa Valduga

Question 7

Where did Brazil’s wine tradition originate?

Answer 7

In the 1870’s in Serra Gaúcha, thanks to a large immigrant population from Trentino and the Veneto.

Question 8

What is IBRAVIN?

Answer 8

The Brazilian Wine Institute, founded 1998.

Question 9

What is an adega?

Answer 9

A winery

Question 10

Who is the father of Brazil’s boutique wine movement?

Answer 10

Antonio dal Pizzol (Dal Pizzol winery)

Question 11

Who pioneered quality sparkling wine in Brazil?

Answer 11

Mario Geisse

Question 12

What is the northernmost winegrowing region in Brazil, and where is it? What is the focus of production?

Answer 12

Vale do São Francisco, in Pernambuco and Bahia at 8-9º S, 400M elevation.
Mostly labrusca varieties

Question 13

How many harvests a year in the Vale do Saõ Francisco?

Answer 13

Generally two, sometimes three; can operate on a 120-130 day viticultural cycle.

Question 14

In which Southern Brazilian states is viticulture concentrated?

Answer 14

Paraná
Santa Catarina
Rio Grande do Sul

Question 15

Paraná: subregions and major grapes

Answer 15

Colombo, São José dos Pinhais, Campo Largo

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

Question 16

Santa Catarina: subregions, climate, major grapes

Answer 16

Vale do Rio do Peixe (high elevation), Pedras Grandes, Morro da Fumaça, Vale do Rio Tijucas, São Joaquim/Planalto Catarinese (uniquely 100% vinifera)
20% Vinifera; remainder is labrusca or hybrid
Either very good or very bad; sometimes early winters, often major frost problems.

Question 17

Which state produces 90% of Brazil’s wine, and what is its most important region? How does production break down?

Answer 17

Rio Grande do Sul
Serra Gaúcha
80% labrusca & hybrids, 20% vinifera

Question 18

Where is the Vale do Viñedos? What is the climate and elevation?

Answer 18

The heart of Serra Gaúcha, centered around the town of Bento Gonçalves.
Realtively cool, very humid/wet (67 inches/year), 600-800M in elevation.
Basalt-derived soils.

Question 19

What is Brazil’s sole DO? What are the requirements?

Answer 19

Vale do Viñedos
All grapes for appellated wines must come from teh appellation. The only varietal wines permitted are Merlot and Chardonnay, and their blending partners are mandated. Sparkling wines must be methode traditionelle.
Also regulated are minimum alcohols, permitted grape varieties overall, aging requirements for barrel and bottle, and production techniques (no oak chips, for one).

Question 20

Where is Campanha Gaúcha, and what are its subzones?

Answer 20

In Rio Grande do Sul, on the Uruguayan border
(west to east)
Uruguaiana and Itaqui
Sant’Ana do Livramento and Rosário do Sul
Dom Pedrito, Candiota, and Bagé

Question 21

What is the breakdown of wine production in Uruguay?

Answer 21

Heavily weighted towards labrusca and hybrids.
60% of wineries make exclusively “commún” (common) wines, bottled in demi-johns, from these varieties. Of the wineries that produce quality wine as well, the typical split is 80% commún, 20% quality.

Question 22

Name three wineries in Uruguay

Answer 22

Juanicó (largest producer of fine wine, producing the Don Pascual brand)
Bodegas Carrau
Bracco Bosca
Pisano

Question 23

What are the four northern winegrowing departments of Uruguay?

Answer 23

Artiga
Salto, Rivera
Paysandu

Question 24

What are the southern winegrowing departments of Uruguay? What bodies of water do they border? Which is the most important?

Answer 24

Colonia, San Jose, Canelones, Maldonado
Rio de la Plata, South Atlantic Ocean
Canelones, with 60% of production

Question 25

What is Singani?

Answer 25

Bolivia’s equivalent to Pisco

Question 26

What is the elevation of Bolivia’s vines?

Answer 26

1700-2800M, with an average of 2700M

Question 27

What are the winegrowing valleys of Bolivia?

Answer 27

La Paz
Santa Cruz
Cinti
Tarija