Above: Vineyards from a far far … away country known as Brazil. Pictures supplied and courtesy of Wines from Brazil.

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With a wider berth and spend to choose wines for the everyday cellar and wineself, have you ever wonder if Brazilian wine would ever please the modern fussy palate?

Even to Asian wine consumers and drinkers, I myself was surprised to learn that Brazil has a wine industry. After all, what comes to mind when you think of Brazil. Since young, we had been bred to remember Brazil (besides our history lessons), to be a land rich and proud in agriculture and tradition, from cane sugar to coffee, from the Amazons to Rio Carnivals.

Overall from our research from Ibravin - Instituto Brasileiro do Vinho, it’s got a climate you wouldn’t expect to be very favourable to grapes. In fact this whole under-discover wine country has regions with microclimates that make viticulture possible, and most vines are grown in the south where the climate is much more temperate than the tropical north (although some wine is made there, too).

In a way, Brazil has a wine-image problem where people think Brazil is too hot. This wine region grows several grape varieties, notably Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tannat. The flavours develop quite well and are accessible when young. Their best make, the Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Tannat blend should make a good signature wine for the region. They have a little bit of complexity, have good fruit, are nicely tannic and have some aging potential. A major obstacle the industry faces is that wine consumption in Brazil is very low — under two litres a person annually. On the positive side, of course, there’s plenty of potential for growth. So does Brazil make decent wine? Only more efforts and visibility will allow us to discover more.

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Mena Kaho
Brazil

Above: Owner and winemaker; Joao Heleno Cogorni @ Food and Hotel Asia 2008 in Singapore.

This family owned estate has its roots when its original parentage came from Italy dating back to the 18th century. Founded in 2003, the estate oversees some 40 hectares and is owned and overseen by winemaker Joao Heleno Cogorni. Most of its wines are exported to the United States. This is the first time they ventured out to the Asian markets.

Contact Details:
Vinicola Mena Kaho Ltda
Rua Joaquim Toniollo
635 - Linha Eulália
São Vendelino
Brazil
Tel: 55+ 54 35545840
Email: administracao@vinicolamenakaho.com.br
Website: Click here. (English translation is currently not available)

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2007 Mena Kaho
Brazil

F25042008. 10.0%. Made from a Brazilian local indigenous grape varietal, called Isabel. From a special 1 hectare vineyard where manual harvest and care occurs. Joao informed this was a table styled wine for easy and everyday drinking. An unusual pungent and yet showing fleshy barnyard notes with warm raspberry undertones. Light to medium-bodied, with sweet sharp acidity, raspberry fruit and a simple finish. Drink from now to 2009.

2005 Mena Kaho Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva Safara
Brazil

F25042008. 12.5%. A modern blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Tannat, whose origins trace back to South West France. 1 year in oak before release. A very modern looks and feels with fresh red fruit. Medium-bodied, it is abundant with primate red fruits. From front to the end, this wine smiles with a fruit driven medium finish. Drink from 2008 to 2012.

Mena Kaho Brut Spumante
Brazil

F25042008. 13.0%. Grape composition not available at press time. Fresh and clean with citrus, sharp green acidity and a dry finish. Drink up now.

Mena Kaho Moscatel Spumante
Brazil

F25042008. 13.0%. 100% Muscat. Another fresh and fleshy style with white floral. Medium-bodied, sweet and pleasing on the palate with a dry short finish. Enjoyable now. Drink from 2008+.

To learn more about Brazilian wines, please visit Wines From Brazil.

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Photographs and text by Daniel. Hit us with your best shots; we’ll try our best to listen. Send your inquiries or comments here or via email to jiuwine@gmail.com.