Brazil Sparkling Rosé? YES!
Brazil is making award winning sparkling wines and I am here to tell you why.
Top reasons:
Semi-arid climate, good average rainfall and a long growing season
Good slope & aspect - slope’s importance affects airflow to the vines and and aspect is the direction which the sunlight hits the vines, which affects the amount of sunlight that hits the vines/soil
Ancient Juro-Crustacean era basaltic, volcanic soils = excellent drainage and minerality
Brazil is best know for making sparkling white wines, mainly in the traditional method with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They also produce still wines from Chardonnay and Semillon for whites, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds, with some Italian varietals Barbera, Moscato and Trebbiano. Brazilian wines are generally easy-drinking, light and fresh, fruit-forward, and lower in alcohol. Keep in mind Brazil’s country is largely covered in rainforest. Most of the vineyards will be in the southern state of Rio Grande Do Sul, then divided into 6 major wine regions. The most significant is Serra Gaúcha with 5 sub appellations: Vale dos Vinhedos, Pinto Bandeira, Altos Montes, Farroupilha, and Monte Belo.
Familia Geisse is a boutique style sparkling wine producer located in the southern Pinto Bandeira region of Brazil. Mario Geisse, a Chilean agronomist engineer and enologist, moved to Brazil in 1976 to run Moët & Chandon’s Brazil company. Knowing the potential Pinto Bandeira region had for quality sparkling wine, 3 years later Mario Geisse began Familia Geisse winery. Fast forward 15 years …. their wines were receiving worldwide notice and recognition. The winery focuses on family, environment, micro-terroir and micro-production. The vines are trained using a trellis system to control vigor and maintain high quality grapes. Preserving the environment is top priority to the winery - zero pesticides, Thermal Pest Control, organic and sustainable farming. They also treat their staff like family and provide housing for all.
Cave Amadeu Brut Rose is made using the traditional, or champenoise, method. The wine is 100% Pinot Noir, with minimum 12 months aging. The wine is a lovely salmon/rose gold color. Aromas of citrus, red berry and spice. Crisp refreshing acidity with flavors of lemon, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, peach, pastry, cream and toast. It has a fine, delicate bubbles. This is a quality wine & exceptional value at $19.
Pair with strawberry compote topped Brie, duck paté with croutes, smoked salmon sushi, caviar or seafood paella.
Video review available on Instagram Familia Geisse Sparkling Wine
