Author: Gabi Victor
Before the pandemic of 2020, most Brazilians believed that great wine was always a product of foreign countries. Brazilian winemakers were fighting a daily struggle to achieve acceptance of national wine consumption by Brazilians themselves; a consumption that remained stagnant at 1.8 to 2.3 liters per capita per year for many years. It was only during the pandemic that Brazilians truly began to taste local wines, fall in love with Brazilian wines, travel to Brazilian wine tourism regions, and became open to discovering something new within their own borders. Brazilian wine has finally been embraced by Brazilians, but what are its prospects for 2025?
Wine consumption has now increased to more than 3 liters per capita per year and consumption and interest in Brazilian wines has grown beyond Brazilian borders to other countries in Latin America and Europe. Many Brazilian wines have been recognized and even medaled in international competitions. However, the journey is still long, especially for small producers. High tax rates, limited availability of raw materials and oenological input, and wines smuggled across Brazilian borders are some of the many challenges faced by small producers. Additionally, the strong influence of foreign currencies encourages the purchase of wines from Mercosur and Europe instead of from Brazil. These factors could easily deter the growth of consumption of Brazilian wines, however, even in the face of adversity, there is no denial that today Brazil is producing quality wine.
In just a few years, the profile and style of Brazilian wine has improved greatly. Many of these improvements are due to the heavily implemented new technologies in viticulture, encouragement of new research and studies, and large investments by major players in the market who see a promising horizon. New certifications and designations of origin are being registered, a fact that adds credibility to the product. There is also a strong government interest in creating new wine tourism routes in different regions involving several states, with the hopes of boosting the local economy, generating new jobs and more income, creating a cascade effect on urban improvements.
Brazilian winemaking will only continue to grow and improve with each new harvest. Consequently, development in wine tourism throughout the country will stimulate the interest of travelers and families in search of new experiences surrounded by natural beauty, which Brazil has in abundance.
What are the prospects for Brazilian wine in 2025? The prospects are outstanding! Despite the recent climate adversities in Rio Grande do Sul and challenges faced by small producers, there is no denial that Brazil has exceptional terroir, an excellent climate, and a wealth of abundant waters; in other words, an extremely favorable biodiversity. As the largest producer of sparkling wines in Latin America, eight wine regions, and emerging wineries in the states of Bahia, Goias, Paranã, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais, Brazilian winemaking shows no signs of slowing down.
Taste and enjoy Brazilian wines!
Gabi Victor is a winemaker and the CEO of Sampa Vinho, a store and wine bar specializing exclusively in wines from Brazil. Follow them on Instagram at @sampavinho or visit their website sampavinho.com.br.
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