The Association of Fine Wine Producers of Vale dos Vinhedos (Aprovale), in Rio Grande do Sul, began the largest evaluation in its history for the granting of the Denomination of Origin (DO) to wineries in the region on Monday, 11th December. Of the 41 samples from this year’s harvest, from 14 establishments that will be evaluated until Wednesday (13), at Embrapa headquarters, 16 have already undergone blind analysis by the jury.
Of these, 13 were recommended for DO by the team of experts, made up of four representatives from Aprovale – manager of the Vale dos Vinhedos Geographical Indication –, two from Embrapa and one from the Brazilian Enology Association (ABE). Three others were not recommended. All wineries whose wines were not recommended can request an appeal up to 15 days after receiving the result.
On the first day of tasting, the representation of varieties was divided between eight Merlot, five Chardonnay, three Cabernet Sauvignon and one Marselan – this one seeking the Indication of Origin (IP) seal. According to the director of the Vale dos Vinhedos Geographical Indication Regulatory Council, Moisés Brandelli, the tasting on the first day of evaluation demonstrated that the vast majority of producers are still preparing red wines.
A second tasting is carried out immediately before marketing, with the aim of confirming the maintenance of the Vale dos Vinhedos characteristics. Only after new approval will the wines be able to go on the shelves displaying the distinction.
The judges’ analysis, which consists of visual, olfactory and gustatory evaluations, in addition to varietal typicality, continues this Tuesday with the tasting of 19 samples, 13 reds and six whites. The evaluators do not know which winery the samples belong to – they are identified using a numerical code – and, at the end of each wine tasting, they make comments about the drinks. All these observations are passed on to the wineries, both for recommended and non-recommended products.
Vale dos Vinhedos was the first region in the country to obtain recognition as a Geographical Indication, in 2002. From then on, it was able to grant the Indication of Origin seal to wines that followed the standards of the Technical Specifications Booklet. Ten years later, the Valley was once again the first region in the country recognized with a Denomination of Origin (DO) for wines and sparkling wines. To carry this seal, the labels follow more specific rules regarding the cultivation of the grape and the production of the wine.
