Characterization of wines from a new region of altitude in the northeast of Brazil

Abstract

Fine wines in Brazil have been produced since the 80’s in many regions, like in the South, were the climate conditions are similar to the temperate zones found in the vineyards of the South Hemisphere, and also in the Northeast, in the São Francisco river Valley, located at 350 m of altitude, were the high temperatures, solar radiation and water availability for irrigation allow to produce tropical wines twice a year. In the Chapada Diamantina, located in the Estate of Bahia, vines were planted in January 2011, at 1,150 m of altitude were, despite this new wine region is located in the Northeast of Brazil, the climate conditions can be compared as a temperate zone, once this region doesn’t present temperature above the 30-32°C in the summer, with an interesting thermal amplitude between day and night. In the winter, temperatures can reach 6-8°C. In this region, it is possible to have one harvest per year, but two prunings, one for vine formation and another for grape production. The cultivars tested are Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Muscat à Petit Grains, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The vines were formed between September 2011 and March 2012, were pruned in April and first grapes were harvested in September 2012. Wines were elaborated according to classical conditions, and analyzed in January 2013. Wines presented very interesting chemical composition, with balance between alcohol content, organic acids and phenolics, for reds, and a very powerful aromatic profile, with typical notes from each wine of the varieties. Comparing wines from the Chapada Diamantina and São Francisco Valley, mainly for Syrah and Sauvignon, the wines from altitude present very high characteristic flavors, valorizing typicality of these wines. In the present work, wines from six cultivars recently introduced in a new wine region of Brazil are characterized, showing the different oenological potential, and results are discussed.