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Is Brazil the new Chile, asks Alasdair Nicol

There aren’t too many newcomers to the wine world that I think we should be getting excited about, but after my trip to this year’s Hong Kong International Wine Fair I discovered a country’s wines that one day I hope we’ll all be drinking.

South American wine is taking over Hong Kong, and on a large and inexpensive scale. We all know wines from Chile are cheap and easy-drinking, while wines from Argentina are full-bodied and, on the whole, unpredictable from year to year. But how about Brazilian wine? Wines from Brazil have, for my money, the most potential to come storming into the Hong Kong market – and when they do, drink them.

Climatically, Brazil has some of the most diverse conditions of all countries in South America, from the super-hot, dry desert regions in the northeast, to the rainforests in the northwest, to the cool, almost European-style climate down south – which is great for the growing of grapes and, thus, the production of wine.

Ninety per cent of Brazil’s wine production comes from the southern Serra Gaucha region, an area shaped by family viticulture through generations of wine production by, not only the obvious Portuguese influences, but decades of Italian migration to Brazil. To be honest, the 2008 Miolo Chardonnay was one of the best of its type I have tried this year and – being the latest vintage – it was crisp, clean and stunningly refreshing; a great drink for our hot and humid climate.

The RAR 2004 Cabernet Merlot was somewhere between Bordeaux and Australia. Because of the cooler climate, you don’t get the full, high-alcohol wine like that of Australia; and with the use of American oak barrels you get this wonderful, smooth, vanilla-style wine that does not have the harsh tannins you’d expect from a Bordeaux blend. The Espumante Brut is excellent and could easily compete with any sparkling wine available in Hong Kong right now, while the sparkling Muscat had an unmistakeable sweetness that would please any palate.

If and when Brazilian wine hits the market here, search it out. You will thank me when you do. Brazilian wine has the potential to overtake all other South American wines in terms of quality – and it will be interesting tom see how much it will cost. If you are like me, you will soon realise that Brazil has much more to offer than just beautiful people and beautiful football.

Where to find them:
Miolo Reserva $90. Cider 4 U, 6188 5823.
Casa Valduga $235. Wine Patio Limited, 2357 4668.