Advances in grape culture in Brazil

Viticulture was introduced in Brazil by Portuguese settlers in the 16th century, becoming a commercial activity in the south of the country, after 1875. Vineyards of American grapes were predominant until the middle of 20th century, when some Vitis vinifera varieties were planted. For a long time Brazilian viticulture was limited to the southern and southeastern states as a typical temperate culture. In the 1960's viticulture was expanded into the tropical regions of Brazil, while there was also an important icrease in the grape growing area in the traditional temperate zones. Nowadays the grape growing area in Brazil is around 83.700 ha, producing between 1.300 and 1.400 thousand tons. In Brazil, grape production is concentrated at the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Paulo, Pernambuco, Parana, Bahia, Santa Catarina and Minas Gerais. Most of the grape and its products (wine and juice) are consumed by Brazilian market. Concentrated grape juice and fresh grapes are the main products exported. Diversity is the main characteristic of Brazilian viticulture: there is a wide genetic diversity on vineyards and grapes are cultivated in different environments, using several production systems and cultural practices. This paper presents a general view of Brazilian viticulture and the main technological and innovation advances obtained in grape culture in the last decades. Emphasis is on new cultivars, on new techniques and cultural practices used - mostly on tropical viticulture - and on systems of certification for wines and other products from grapes.