The 34th edition, in Bento Gonçalves, reveals to 800 people 16 wines that represent the 2026 vintage, served without identification
On October 17, 800 people will taste 16 wines from the 2026 vintage at the same time in Bento Gonçalves, in Rio Grande do Sul's Serra Gaúcha, without knowing who made them. It is the 34th National Wine Evaluation, organized by the Brazilian Association of Enology (ABE), which turns 50 in 2026. According to the association, this edition has the largest number of samples in the event's history: 569, entered by 84 wineries from ten states and the Federal District.
Besides Rio Grande do Sul, wineries from Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo sent samples, as did the Federal District, according to ABE. The association collected the samples itself from August 3 to 24: the technical team went to the wineries and drew the wine straight from the vessel in which it was being made, rather than receiving bottles chosen by the companies. According to ABE, the method ensures the same conditions of collection, identification, transport and storage for every sample.
From September 1 to 4, 109 winemakers, 19 of them women, blind-tasted the 558 samples that reached the selection stage, in Bento Gonçalves. There were 20 hours of evaluation and 5,121 glasses poured, according to ABE. Each sample was assessed by nine judges, with no information on brand or winery. The most representative 30% of each category advance from this stage, and the results remain secret until the day of the event.
The schedule released by ABE and published by Agrolink calls for registration at 4 p.m., the opening at 5 p.m. and a guided tasting from 5:25 p.m., in Pavilion E of the Bento Gonçalves Events Park, with a cocktail reception at 9 p.m. and the close at midnight. Each of the 16 wines is served to everyone at the same time and commented on by a guest who also does not know its identity. Tickets, limited to 800, are sold on ABE's website.
To get to know Serra Gaúcha wines before the event, the Bebidário catalog has labels from houses in the region, such as Miolo Lote 43, Aurora Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon and Salton Intenso Merlot.
Sources: ABE (August 20, 2026), ABE (September 10, 2026), Agrolink (September 10, 2026).
