Tempo de leitura: 6 minutos
Por Rogerio Ruschel (*)
O Vale dos Vinhedos, na Serra Gaúcha, foi eleito pela revista americana Wine Enthusiast (uma das mais influentes do mercado) como um dos 10 melhores destinos enoturísticos do mundo para se visitar em 2013. A lista reúne alguns destinos já consolidados como Vale do Rio Douro (Portugal), Stellenbosch (África do Sul), Hunter Valley (Austrália) e Rioja (Espanha) – e o Vale dos Vinhedos é o único destino da América Latina selecionado.
In Vino Viajas já sugeria e reforça o convite: conheça o que 150 mil pessoas visitaram no ano passado e que agora está na lista dos melhores locais do enoturismo mundial. Aproveite o “4O. Bento em Vindima” neste versão – veja no post publicado aqui – http://invinoviajas.blogspot.com.br/2012/12/enoturismo-em-bento-goncalves-rs-um.html
O Vale dos Vinhedos é a primeira Denominação de Origem (DO) de vinhos do Brasil e fica na região da Serra Gaúcha, no entorno do município de Bento Gonçalves. É a principal região produtora de vinhos do país, e já vem atraindo a atenção de especialistas do mundo todo, como os ingleses Oz Clarke e Steven Spurrier (veja em breve um post sobre isso).
Pois você tem uma oportunidade imperdível para conhecer o Vale dos Vinhedos neste verão, e pagar em Reais: entre 12 de janeiro e 17 de março de 2013 estará sendo realizada o “4O. Bento em Vindima”, a quarta edição de um show de enoturismo com uma programação repleta de atividades em torno da cultura da uva e do vinho no Brasil.
O evento inclui passeios turísticos nas cinco rotas do município de Bento Gonçalves (Vale dos Vinhedos, Caminhos de Pedra, Vinhos de Pinto Bandeira, Rota das Cantinas Históricas e o Vale do Rio das Antas) e inúmeras atividades como degustação de uvas, cursos de degustação de vinhos, colheita noturna, um Ciclo de Cinema especial sobre o assunto, participação na colheita e na pisa das uvas, visita às vinícolas, jantares harmonizados, um grandioso Jantar sob as Estrelas.
Agora, só pra deixar claro: o fato da região ser bonita não muda os inúmeros equívocos que os produtores brasileiros (dominados pelos “veteranos” de Bento Gonçalves) cometem e que denuncio aqui neste blog no post http://invinoviajas.blogspot.com.br/2013/01/a-miopia-de-marketing-do-vinho.html
A lista completa da Wine Enthusiast para 2013 inclui 10 destinos:
- Rioja (Espanha)
- Rio Danúbio (Áustria)
- North & South Forks em Long Island, Nova York (EUA)
- Stellenbosch (África do Sul)
- Monterey County, Califórnia (EUA)
- Vale dos Vinhedos (Brasil)
- Willamette Valley, Oregon (EUA)
- Hunter Valley, New South Wales (Austrália)
- Vale do Rio Douro (Portugal)
- Puglia (Itália)
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Veja a seguir a reportagem de Jeff Jenssen e Mike DeSimone sobre o Vale dos Vinhedos, publicada dia 8 de janeiro.
“The most important wine region in the country, Vale dos Vinhedos is dotted with wineries, hotels and restaurants.
Forget about the sandy beaches and bikini-clad beauties of Rio de Janeiro, and instead picture the rolling hills of Italy’s Piedmont region. In the late 1800s, southern Brazil experienced a mass influx of Italian immigrants, primarily from northern Italy. The largest and most important wine region in the country, Serra Gaúcha and its Denominación de Origen, Vale dos Vinhedos, now account for almost 90% of Brazil’s fine wine production.
These green hills, dotted with wineries, hotels and restaurants, attract approximately 150,000 visitors per year. Italian cuisine is prominent, and many aged residents speak an almost-lost Venetian dialect interspersed with Portuguese.
Where to Dine
At Valle Rustico, don’t miss Chef Rodrigo Bellora’s filet mignon with house-made chimichurri sauce or polenta with wild boar ragu. With a wine list boasting 21 sparkling, six white and 35 red selections, it’s hard to choose just one. At Cabanha’s Churrascaria, this traditional pampa-style restaurant features prime cuts of beef that are grilled to perfection over a wood-burning fire. The attached wine shop makes picking your wine fun, educational and easy.
At Valle Rustico, don’t miss Chef Rodrigo Bellora’s filet mignon with house-made chimichurri sauce or polenta with wild boar ragu. With a wine list boasting 21 sparkling, six white and 35 red selections, it’s hard to choose just one. At Cabanha’s Churrascaria, this traditional pampa-style restaurant features prime cuts of beef that are grilled to perfection over a wood-burning fire. The attached wine shop makes picking your wine fun, educational and easy.
Where to Stay
With 128 luxurious rooms, lavish public areas and a world-class spa, Hotel & Spa do Vinho Caudalie is the place to base yourself while touring Brazilian wine country. Don Giovanni Vinhos Vinhedos Pousada is a quaint, family-run bed-and-breakfast, and is a bastion of Old World charm. Eight guest rooms, a winery and an award-winning restaurant are set in a historic house built in 1930.
With 128 luxurious rooms, lavish public areas and a world-class spa, Hotel & Spa do Vinho Caudalie is the place to base yourself while touring Brazilian wine country. Don Giovanni Vinhos Vinhedos Pousada is a quaint, family-run bed-and-breakfast, and is a bastion of Old World charm. Eight guest rooms, a winery and an award-winning restaurant are set in a historic house built in 1930.
Where to Taste
Roughly 130,000 visitors per year pass through Miolowinery’s gates. Under the guidance of consultant Michel Rolland, it makes highly regarded red, white and sparkling wines. At Pizzato Vinhas e Vinhos, father and son Plinio and Flavio Pizzato make excellent wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (for sparkling) and some lesser-known varieties. Visitors are often surprised by the impressive European-style buildings at Casa Valduga. Make sure to tour its extensive sparkling wine cellars.
Roughly 130,000 visitors per year pass through Miolowinery’s gates. Under the guidance of consultant Michel Rolland, it makes highly regarded red, white and sparkling wines. At Pizzato Vinhas e Vinhos, father and son Plinio and Flavio Pizzato make excellent wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (for sparkling) and some lesser-known varieties. Visitors are often surprised by the impressive European-style buildings at Casa Valduga. Make sure to tour its extensive sparkling wine cellars.
Vinícola Aurora is a co-op with 1,100 member families and a variety of bottlings. The red-wine-spouting, gold-toned Bacchus fountain is a fun photo op. Also, visit Vinícola Salton. Started in 1910, the winery now produces more than 30 wines.
When to Go
Most of Brazil is south of the equator, so the seasons are opposite ours. Go in March to catch the harvest.
Most of Brazil is south of the equator, so the seasons are opposite ours. Go in March to catch the harvest.
Prominent Wines
Red wines are made using Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Ancellotta, Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional and Teroldego. White grapes include Riesling, Chardonnay, Muscat, Malvasia and Glera (formerly known as Prosecco). Sparkling wines are produced in dry and sweet styles, and are among Brazil’s more sought-after sips.
Red wines are made using Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Ancellotta, Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional and Teroldego. White grapes include Riesling, Chardonnay, Muscat, Malvasia and Glera (formerly known as Prosecco). Sparkling wines are produced in dry and sweet styles, and are among Brazil’s more sought-after sips.
The only red grape that can be labeled as a single varietal in Vale dos Vinhedos is Merlot. Notable examples are made by producers like Miolo, Casa Valduga and Pizzato. The Indicação de Procedência Pinto Bandeira allows production of both sweet and dry sparkling wines, and dry reds and whites.
Budget Tip
Buy a bottle of Brazilian sparkling wine and some pão de queijo (cheese bread) and head out to Floresta de Tijuca Municipal Park for a relaxing afternoon amid the local flora and fauna.
Buy a bottle of Brazilian sparkling wine and some pão de queijo (cheese bread) and head out to Floresta de Tijuca Municipal Park for a relaxing afternoon amid the local flora and fauna.
Local in-the-know
Flavio Pizzato of Pizzato Vinhas e Vinhos likes to spend his days away from the winery actively engaged with nature. “The region is very steep, green and full of barely explored areas. [Mountain range] Paredão da Eulália is close to our winery, and you can just see the sights there or do a deep forest exploration. Also, Serra Gaúcha’s main river, Rio das Antas, is very good for rafting.” One of his favorite outfitters is CIA Aventura.
Flavio Pizzato of Pizzato Vinhas e Vinhos likes to spend his days away from the winery actively engaged with nature. “The region is very steep, green and full of barely explored areas. [Mountain range] Paredão da Eulália is close to our winery, and you can just see the sights there or do a deep forest exploration. Also, Serra Gaúcha’s main river, Rio das Antas, is very good for rafting.” One of his favorite outfitters is CIA Aventura.
OtherActivities
Take the family for a relaxing day in Serra Gaúcha’s hot springs. Caldas de Prataoffers a variety of packages to suit your needs and budget, from a simple pool soak (approximately $9.50) to a luxurious spa day (prices vary by treatment). Make sure to visit the beautiful local waterfall, Cascata da Usina.”
Take the family for a relaxing day in Serra Gaúcha’s hot springs. Caldas de Prataoffers a variety of packages to suit your needs and budget, from a simple pool soak (approximately $9.50) to a luxurious spa day (prices vary by treatment). Make sure to visit the beautiful local waterfall, Cascata da Usina.”
(*) Rogério Ruschel é jornalista e consultor especializado em sustentabilidade; além de ter a felicidade de ser gaúcho.
