Rio 2016 – Medal winning Brazilian wines to drink during the Olympics
Brazil has already made the grade in one medals table this year. We bring you five of the best Brazilian wines from the Decanter World Wine Awards 2016 as the Rio 2016 Olympics gets underway...
Whether you’re planning to watch the Rio 2016 Olympics opening ceremony, or watching the games themselves, you can get into the spirit of things with a bottle of award-winning wine from the Decanter World Wine Awards 2016 (DWWA).
Scroll down to see the wines
At DWWA 2016, Brazil’s wines won platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals – with strong red, white and sparkling entries all making the podium.
Brazil is the fifth-largest wine producer in the southern hemisphere, behind Argentina, Australia, South Africa and Chile. It has more than 82,000 hectares of vineyards, across diverse cool climate terroirs.
Decanter consultant editor Steven Spurrier, who was also chair of DWWA 2016, has been watching Brazil closely.
Compared to Chile and Argentina, Brazilian wines have been slow to rise on the export market.
But there has been progress in recent years and producers have looked to use the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympic Games to gain greater recognition for their wines on the world stage.
Most award-winning entries were from Brazil’s most prominent wine region, Serra Gáucha.
It is home to the country’s first appellation of origin – Vale dos Vinhedos. Here, the vines benefit from the higher altitude, with cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. Several European varietals have blossomed in these conditions, including Casa Valduga’s Merlot and Aurora’s Brut Chardonnay.
So, whether you’re jetting off to watch the games, or watching from your sofa, experience the energy and passion of Brazil with one of these award-winning wines…
Five of the best Brazilian wines at DWWA 2016
Wines chosen based on availability
Editing by Chris Mercer
Casa Valduga, Leopoldina Chardonnay, Brazil, 2015
95
Highly aromatic, here oak predominates with nuances of fresh toast, smoked vanilla pods, sweet spices and hazelnut, in addition to ripe stone fruits. Elegant, stylish palate with creamy texture, fresh acidity and overt, complex, bready nutty notes evocative of Sherry flor. Accomplished, stunning, a world class Chardonnay.
2015
Casa Valduga
Casa Valduga, Terroir Leopoldina Merlot, Brazil, 2012
95
Complex wine, with a plethora of aromas: plum, cherry, herbs, graphite, cedar, alongside charcoaly, toasty nuances from wood and a hint of leather from the age. Smart, stylish and savoury palate with a pleasant texture and excellent tension and vibrancy. It has freshness, earthiness and finesse, a fabulous expression of Merlot.
2012
Casa Valduga
Vinicola Guaspari, Vista do Chá Syrah, Brazil, 2012
95
Expressive and highly aromatic with multiple layers: blueberry, mature blackberry, bacon, black pepper, smoke and graphite. Palate is concentrated and firm with a lovely savoury, spicy, smoky streak to the ripe dansom fruit, leading to a note of bitter liquorice on the finish. Wonderfully pure, vibrant style, a full-bodied Syrah, with a lot of personality and utterly delicious.
2012
Vinicola Guaspari
Vinicola Salton, Intenso Brut, Brazil
93
Elegant, lifted jasmine and peach nose. The mouth is attractive and youthful with pear, green apple and apricot tones with a spicy hint. Fabulous fizz, vibrant, with good persistency of bubbles and a refreshing finish.
Vinicola Salton
Aurora, Brut Chardonnay, Brazil
90
Superb nutty nose with roasted lemon, vanilla and brioche. Beautiful mouthfeel with a fine mousse and an excellent creamy texture, backed with peach fruit and a flinty minerality. Dry, savoury and fascinating style.
Aurora
