More famous for sport than wine, Brazil nevertheless has a vine-growing heritage that is coming to the fore. Steven Spurrier explores the country's regions and top estates, and is intrigued by what he finds...
Steven Spurrier’s top 6 wines from Brazil
Cave Geisse Brut, Pinto Bandeira, Serra Gaucha 1998
18.5/20pts (95/100pts)
A 70% Chardonnay/30% Pinot Noir blend in magnum. Fine, full gold colour; bready, honeyed and rich on the nose; very rich and complex on the palate. Beautifully textured and mature.
Price: £35 Go Brazil
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 12.5%
Lidio Carraro, Grande Vindima Merlot, Encruzilhada do Sul 2005
18/20pts (93/100pts)
Fine deep red with mature rim, very Merlot/ Pomerol nose with cassis, spice and chocolate. Rich on the palate; full, fleshy yet elegant and firm. Very good indeed.
Price: £45 Go Brazil
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 14.2%
Pizzato DNA99, Vale dos Vinhedos 2008
18/20pts (93/100pts)
Superb black-purple-red, a nose of dark summer fruits and lovely natural richness on the palate. Oak blended to show voluptuous texture, and elegant tannins.
Price: £55 Go Brazil
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 13.8%
Lidio Carraro, Dádivas Pinot Noir, Encruzilhada do Sul 2012
17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Deep with purple rim, lovely black cherries, Pinot on the nose, lovely texture and fruit on the palate. Good energy and depth.
Price: £16 Go Brazil
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14%
Miolo Sesmarias, Campanha 2008
17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Tempranillo aged for two years in new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. Deep purple-red, great depth of fruit with spice, black chocolate and lots of grip. Tannins still there but the fruit dominates. Has a great future.
Price: POA Bibendum
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14%
Casa Valduga Raizes Cabernet Franc, Campanha 2010
16.5/20pts (88/100pts)
Also from Campanha, this has a good deep colour, very good red-fruit nose and is crunchy and fresh on the palate. The oak (50% French, 50% American) is well blended in. Nicely extracted with some elegance.
Price: N/A UK casavalduga.com.br
Drink 2013–2015
Alc 13.5%
