Favorable weather in Rio Grande do Sul, with a good winter and moderate rains, has improved grape quality, promising a superior harvest for wines and juices. Producers like Vinícola Aurora expect record yields. Experts note reduced rot and higher sugar levels.
In Rio Grande do Sul, a key grape-producing region, favorable weather supported the production cycle. A good winter enabled strong budding, and spring posed no issues, leading to high harvest volumes, according to Mauro Celso Zanus, enology researcher at Embrapa Uva e Vinho. Moderate rains benefited early, intermediate, and late varieties, achieving excellent maturation that minimized bunch rot. Water scarcity in Serra Gaúcha enhanced wine and juice intensity, acidity balance, pigmentation, and tannins, Zanus explains. Drought raised 'grau brix' (sugar) levels after regular rains followed by dry spells. Mauricio Bonafé, agricultural manager at Vinícola Aurora, agrees: “We had very good budding, without extreme cold episodes. [...] that extra time was converted into quality.” Harvest delayed by 15 days for early varieties and 10 for late ones due to mild temperatures, but the cooperative forecasts 85 million kilograms of grapes, a 19% rise from last year and the highest since 2021, wrapping up by month's end. Challenges include labor shortages and logistics from high output. Zanus notes Brazilian wine quality has advanced over 20 years via technology and Embrapa's resilient varieties, gearing up for EU competition under the Mercosul-EU deal.