Casa Valduga was one of the first Brazilian wineries to make sparkling wines in the method champenoise. The Valduga family arrived in Bento Goncalves in the late 19th Century and soon begun planting the first vineyards in the valley. Today it has the biggest sparkling wine cellar in Latin America, and it is still run by the family.

I wasn’t going to visit Casa Valduga at first. I focus on wineries of small-medium production that eventually will be showcased in my wine bar. Recognizing that it would have been silly to miss out on this opportunity, we ended up spending an entire morning in their gigantic complex. There was a film, a tour, a tasting, the whole shebang, and it was worth it.

It is not by chance that Casa Valduga is a symbol of excellence in Brazil. Nor a coincidence that it is the official winery in the Planalto. Their wines are indeed excellent and their top tier sparkling have fooled even the French. Therefore, all the medals and awards worldwide.           Go Brazil!

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