Brazilian wines ready to hit UK

Public interest in Brazil is growing ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, and a range of importers are poised to release their first Brazilian wine brands on the UK market in the coming weeks.

As the Olympic flag passed from London to Rio, the spotlight of public attention was moved firmly onto Brazil. Several UK importers are now capitalising on the public interest with the launch of a range of new wines over the next month.

Waitrose gained strong publicity with its launch last month of the sparkling Brut Rosé from Brasil’s biggest sparkling producer, Miolo. Fiona Juby, of Miolo’s UK agents, Barwell & Jones, says: “People are trying to think where the next big thing is coming from in wine – it just could be Brazil”.

Waitrose buyer Nick Room says the supermarket is trialling the wine this year as part of its ‘World of Wine’ event, and will move to a full listing next year if it proves successful with customers.

James Forbes, of importer Stevens Garnier, says they have been working with one of Brazil’s largest producers, Aurora, for three years. Later this month they are taking their first shipment of ‘Reserve’ wines from Aurora, developed specifically for the UK market. The range comprises a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot, and they are also launching two of Aurora’s Moscato wines, which Forbes describes as “brilliant wines, beautifully made”.

Next week, Oakley Wine Agencies are launching four table wines from Brazilian producers Basso and Garibaldi: a Merlot, Tannat, Chardonnay and a still Moscato.

Charlotte Oakley says she has been spreading the word about the wines “and the interest has been huge.” She adds: “We have sent out many samples already to interested customers – it’s still very early days, but in the UK the rarity of Brazilian wine which is easily accessible and affordable definitely is an advantage.”

James Forbes of Stevens Garnier says the wines from Brazil tend to be more expensive than their counterparts from Chile and Argentina. They don’t have a unique grape variety they can call their own, but Forbes says: “their USP is more in terms of style. The wines are very different from other South American countries – lower in alcohol and more European in character”.