Contrary to what the title of this article suggests, Serra Gaúcha is the most well-known wine region within Brazil and produces approximately 80% of the country’s wine. However, it not very well known by international wine enthusiasts; that needs to change – Garibaldi definitely deserves to be on your radar. Travelers can reach this part of Brazil using several in-country connecting flights to either Caxios do Sol (about a 45 minute drive) and Porto Alegre (about a 90 minute drive). Uber mostly works although we ended up waiting a bit longer than anticipated during busy times of the day for our drivers
to arrive.
For more information about the wines of Brazil, visit: www.winesofbrazil.com.br
STAY
Hotel Laghetto Viverone Estação – Garibaldi
This hotel is conveniently located near the center of Garibaldi (about a 10-15 minute walk). It is affordable, contemporary and features clean and comfortable rooms. And it is located within easy walking distance of restaurants and other shops.
EAT
Valle Rustico
If there is only one restaurant you must visit in the region, it is Valle Rustico. It was founded in 2009 by local (Bento Gonçalves), chef Rodrigo Bellora. The focus of their food is using fresh and seasonal ingredients – sourcing from local family farmers who are farming their lands using organic and or biodynamic practices. And be sure to visit the cellar downstairs; it contains some of the most important wines from the region.
WINERIES
CHANDON Brazil
We were originally on our way to CHANDON Brazil from Uruguay several years ago when our good friend from Lima, Peru called and informed us she had breast cancer. We immediately pivoted countries and visited her in Peru instead. It wasn’t until 2024 that we were able to visit CHANDON Brazil. The winery is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Serra Gaúcha, a short drive from the center of the city of Garibaldi.
Thankfully, the perception of sparkling wines has changed in Brazil, especially in the larger cities, from being thought of as only to be served during holidays and special occasions to now enjoying as everyday wines.
After three years of renovation and developing additional hospitality spaces, CHANDON Brazil reopened for visits in October 2023 at Casa Chandon Garibaldi. Visits are by walk-in or by reservation and include several tasting options ranging from 45 minutes to two hours. A cozy container overlooks their vineyard and is used for hosting private tastings. Weather permitting, a garden is available for guests as is a terrace featuring comfortable seating.
Small bites are also available to pair with the wines including during our visit rib croquettes, porcino mushroom arancini, tapioca cubes with bacon jam and several types of macarons. A small boutique sells all their wines including exclusive bottlings. And CHANDON Brazil sometimes offers pop up events and tastings in major cities in Brazil including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Tenuta Foppa & Ambrosi
Tenuta Foppa & Ambrosi opened a tasting room in 2021 located about a 10-15 minute drive from Garibaldi. The space is located inside a building dating from over 100 years; its previous uses included a cheese shop and an Italian grocery. Founders and owners, Lucas Foppa Alves and Ricardo Ambrosi began restoring the space starting in December 2020. Visitors are hosted by walk-in or by appointment with tastings offering light bites including a delicious focaccia paired with locally produced olive oil (PURO), an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie. A small boutique sells their wines with other partner products including olive oil.
Still in their formative years, they are building a legacy while simultaneously preserving and showcasing the terroir from their part of Brazil. Lucas uses his knowledge and passion for Napa Valley from his time working there as a platform to showcase and familiarize people with Brazilian wines. To Lucas and Riccardo, wine is focused on connection – with people and food; all their wines are food friendly featuring a balanced acidity.
PIZZATO Vines and Wines
This family owned winery was founded in 1999; like other wine families in the region the Pizzato family immigrated to Brazil from Italy. Their hospitality space underwent a major remodel and expansion, opening in late winter 2024. Their first wine, a Merlot was highly regarded – the winery has since become known as, ‘the house of Merlot’.
Presently they produce 29 wines organized under three brands including their intro brand Fausto (less time in oak) more production and from vineyards not in the immediate vicinity. PIZZATO is their reserve and most awarded wines with only grapes used from Santa Lucia region. And the newest brand is Allume, referring to lightning. Total production of all brands is 500,000 bottles and are sold throughout Brazil with approximately 10% of production exported including to U.S., Canada and select countries in Europe.
The 2022 PIZZATO Brut Rosé is a 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay. This wine was in contact with lees for 26 months; for reference the minimum time they age their sparkling wine is for 16 months. The wine is medium copper in color; the attractive and elegant bouquet offers scents of rose petals, raspberry and wild strawberry. The palate offers delicate red fruited berry flavors including raspberry and white strawberry complemented by a refreshing acidity and a creamy mouth feel. The harvest, beginning of secondary fermentation and the disgorging dates are all listed on the back labels.
DNA 99 is their iconic and flagship wine; it is only produced during best harvests. In their first 25 years they have produced this only 9 times.
The 2008 PIZZATO DNA 99 is deep ruby; the sweetly fruited bouquet shows some bottle bouquet with aromas of blackberry jam, boysenberry, plum and a cherry liqueur. This wine tastes younger than we would have anticipated; the palate reveals flavors of cherry, raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry and chocolate. The densely packed and chewy tannins are rounded at this age and parallel the fruit for quite some time on the extended finish. It lingers earthy with a note of toasted oak. There is a textural consistency on these wines, although early vintages showcase slightly more edgy tannins than recent vintages. This is a special bottling that plays well on the international wine scene and represents the pinnacle of Brazilian winemaking. This wine is always produced from a single vineyard. It is built to drink upon release but also has the ‘stuffing’ to easily age more than 20 years. This was the first Brazilian wine be awarded 95 points (Decanter Magazine).
Salton
The largest winery in Brazil, Salton was established in 1910 by Italian immigrants (seven brothers). The company is now run by fourth generation family members. Their operations are truly impressive, producing about 10 million bottles annually. At the height of their operations during harvest they process about 300 tons of grapes a day. We sat down with one of their winemakers to taste through several of their wines.
The Salton Brut is playful, fruity and fun. Fresh, focused and youthful this wine offers aromas and flavors of apple, pear and kiwi. Quick to market. Brut style, its residual sugar is 14g/l.
The Salton Ouro Extra Brut is made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling Italico. The bouquet offers scents of pair and green apple which are mirrored on the bouquet. Fresh with a light creamy character but also with a vivid tone of acidity. This is their best selling sparkling wine.
The Salton Methode Evidence Cuvee Brut is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is medium gold in color; smells fruity with aromas of honeydew melon, crenshaw melon, Golden delicious apple, pineapple, grapefruit, and assorted orchard fruits including peach and apricot. And as it evolves in the glass it expresses a light nutty character similar to hazelnut. Flavors of pineapple, pomelo, grapefruit and tangerine. Bright, refreshing, with lively acidity – and like on the bouquet, fruity across the palate. This wine was produced from three vintages.
The Salton Series Brut Serra Gaucha is pale to medium gold in color; the bouquet includes star jasmine, a light honeyed note, pear and white peaches. The palate reveals flavors of lychee, pineapple guava, pineapple, with a lingering note of grapefruit pith. Fresh and fruity.
The 2020 Salton Talento Corte Unico is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tannat. First vintage was in 2002. This wine is deep ruby; the aromas offer notes of red plum, dark raspberry, blueberry and red cherry. It is very soft texturally with flavors of plum, cherry, dark raspberry and a lingering note of pink peppercorn. Creamy character. 20% of wine is kept in the tanks to preserve more of the fresh fruit characteristics. The savory and darker spice filled finish lingers with a note of toasted oak. This wine was aged for 12 months in both French and American oak barrels. With the red wines, since they are much lower production than the sparkling wines, they have the luxury to always release these when they feel they are ready rather than being dictate by market pressure.
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