SEMINAR (I Seminário Internacional de Marcas Locais e Regionais na Região da Uva e do Vinho)

One day after the arrival from my trip, I participated in a seminar about geographical identification of a regional product that is in process of development in the region of Vale dos Vinhedos - the only region in Brazil that has an "indication of origin" for its wines.

The product is a kind of salami, which has many process to follow until it can have the "indication of origin" recognized.

_ What it has to do with wine?

Not much, unless the subject of this is ready to eat and can be savoured and paired with wine, however, the whole course that leads to be renowned as a product typical and unique from a certain region has a lot to learn from the local wine business.

Important players in this matter were present, such as represents of the government, traders, searchers, and also an international group that has experience in the course of action and has been a partner of the institution responsible for the seminar: Faculdade Cenecista de Bento Gonçalves.

Bento Gonçalves is one of the places that compound the Vale dos Vinhedos. It is part of a region dominated by Italian ancestry and, still today very connected to its roots. It often receives incentives from Italian institutions.

Kepha Opus and Consorzio Fidi Artigiani, both Italian bodies, are the collaborators in this project, which has the Ministério di Lavoro (Labour's Ministry of Italy) as partner as well.

The event started with long time spent for introduction and, when finally the seminar went ahead, the project was presented.

My main reason for being in the event was the presentation of the Vale dos Vinhedos 'case', treated as a guide to the "salami case".

That happened almost in the end of the seminar, when Jorge Tonietto; professional of EMBRAPA (Brazilian governmental department related to agriculture); presented the work done to recognize and also to sustain Vale dos Vinhedos as a wine region with "indication of origin".

EMBRAPA works is extensive and very accurate. In the occasion the studies made in the region where in brief showed. The studies were very important to identify many relevant factors to be worked on in order to make the accreditation possible.

The data generated this survey is still nowadays a reference and extremely important, not only to Vale dos Vinhedos but also to other wine regions in Brazil and in other parts of the world, as it has important information of global viticulture.

Part of this information can be found at the WEB site www.cnpuv.embrapa.br

What impressed me the most was the depth of the analysis made. It was a good incentive to study a little more about what I was already very inquisitive: my country's wine business.

That can sound funny: to learn about my own country wine after doing it in many others. However, as I habitually explain: I feel in love with wine while living abroad and my studies started far away from home. So,now that I am back, I have to learn about Brazilian viticulture and try it out.