Brazil could be about to see a rise in sales of wine from Napa Valley, after the country agreed to recognise the California wine region's Geographic Indication status.
Sales of US wine to Brazil are already growing strongly, albeit off a low base, and GI status gives wineries in Napa Valley a further boost in the country.
‘This is another important milestone for our trade group in protecting our appellation’s name from fraudulent use in yet another high-profile, emerging wine market,” said Linda Reiff, executive director of Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a trade body representing 430 wineries.
In 2011, exports of US wine to Brazil doubled versus the previous year in both value and volume terms, hitting sales of US$3.6m from 1.1m litres, according to the California-based Wine Institute. California accounts for around 90% of US wine exports.
‘Currently we have only 13 Napa Valley wineries exporting there,’ NVV spokesperson Terry Hall told Decanter.com. ‘[But] keep in mind, China was in a similar position just a few years ago and now has more than 100 Napa wineries in the market.’
Reiff said GI recognition for Napa Valley worldwide is ‘important to building our brand integrity’.
The NVV announced Napa’s GI status in Brazil during the International Wine Law Association‘s conference in Bento Goncalves, in the heartland of Brazilian wine production.
Written by Chris Mercer
