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Verdict
A mixed year for Brazilian wine with adverse weather affecting both quantity and quality. Producers claim it will be a good year for sparkling wine.
Weather
Late frosts in September hit the Campos de Cima da Serra region with the total loss of some Pinot Noir and Chardonnay crops.
Dry weather at the end of December and beginning of January called for emergency irrigation in Campanha. Rains came at the end of January alleviating the situation but by this time, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes destined for sparkling wines had already been picked and vinified in Brazil's first GI, Vale dos Vinhedos.
In February, dry conditions returned which, allowed vines to ripen fully without the threat of disease or rot.
Production
Volumes in the major wine-growing region, Rio Grande do Sul, fell by almost 16% to 68m kg compared to 83m kg in 2008. Carlos Raimundo Paviani, CEO of the Brazilian Wine Institute said: 'Although it may be bad for some grape growers, who had significant loss in their production in some regions, for the wine market, the poorer harvest might be an encouragement'.
'Lower quantities of grapes and, consequently, of wine, is likely to support the sector balance, which today has stocks of more than 300m litres,' he added.
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