Grapes, regions and typical style of the three countries that lead Brazil's wine imports, with three labels from each.
Chile, Argentina and Portugal top Brazil's wine imports. According to Ministry of Agriculture data published by SBT News in February 2026, Chile was Brazil's main wine supplier in 2025, with US$ 213 million (about 38% of the total imported); Argentina came second, with US$ 101.4 million, and Portugal led among the Europeans, with US$ 84.4 million. Below is what is typical of each country according to Wine Folly, and three labels from each, in different price ranges.
For Wine Folly, Chile's position, between the Pacific and the Andes, works like a giant air conditioner for the vineyards. The most planted grape is Cabernet Sauvignon, which there tends toward a more elegant, herbaceous style; Carménère is the country's signature grape, with red fruit and an herbaceous touch, and its best examples come from Colchagua and Cachapoal. Maipo, Colchagua, Aconcagua and Casablanca are among the regions mentioned.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah from the Valle Central, by Viña San Pedro. The catalog pyramid lists red fruit and black pepper at the top, vanilla and dark chocolate in the body. The producer recommends serving it between 15 °C and 17 °C, with red meats, lamb, duck and cheeses.
Organic Carmenere from the Colchagua Valley, precisely one of the regions Wine Folly points to for the grape. One fifth of the wine spends 8 months in French oak; the producer describes red fruit, plum and French oak and suggests spiced chicken or pasta with red sauce.
Cabernet from the Aconcagua Valley, with 12 months in French oak barrels, 20% of them new. The producer's pyramid shows the herbaceous side of Chilean Cabernet: raspberry, plum, lavender, rosemary and cedar at the top, tobacco, graphite and black tea in the body. It goes with grilled red meats, pasta and aged cheeses, according to the house.
According to Wine Folly, Mendoza holds 75% of Argentina's vineyards and is "the land of Malbec", a grape that makes full, deeply colored wines. The high-altitude vineyards have cool nights that help preserve acidity. In the Uco Valley, among the highest in Mendoza, Malbec takes on more savory notes, layered black fruit and tannins the guide calls "dusty"; in Luján de Cuyo, it comes out with more black fruit and a softer style. Among the whites, the standout is Torrontés, aromatic and usually dry.
100% Malbec from Mendoza, by the Zuccardi family, with no oak mentioned on the spec sheet. The producer describes plum, blackberry, red fruit and strawberry: this is young, fruity Malbec for every day.
Malbec from Agrelo, in Luján de Cuyo, at 950 meters; in the 2024 vintage, 35% of the wine spent 8 months in French oak. The pyramid shows raspberry, cherry, violet, cocoa and vanilla. Serve between 15 °C and 17 °C, without decanting.
Malbec (90%, with 10% Cabernet Franc) from Gualtallary, in the Uco Valley, at 1,470 meters, on limestone soil. It matures for 15 months in large vats, barrels and concrete. The catalog pyramid, from a specialist source, lists blackberry, tar, violet and black pepper; the importer recommends serving it between 15 °C and 17 °C.
Wine Folly calls Touriga Nacional one of Portugal's champion grapes: a full-bodied red with a floral violet aroma. Alicante Bouschet, a red-fleshed grape, makes intense, smoky reds in the Alentejo that the guide compares to Syrah. The Douro is the home of dense reds and Port wine; Vinho Verde, in the cooler northwest, makes vibrant, low-alcohol whites, sometimes lightly spritzy.
Vinho Verde DOC by Aveleda, with Trajadura, Loureiro, Arinto and Fernão Pires, 9.5% alcohol, 11 g/L of sugar and a light fizz. The pyramid lists pineapple and passion fruit, tropical fruit and orange peel. Serve between 8 °C and 10 °C.
DOC Douro by Real Companhia Velha, with the region's classic blend: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, six months in stainless steel, unoaked. The catalog pyramid lists red fruit and cherry. The house recommends serving it between 16 °C and 18 °C, with roast veal, bacalhau à Brás and parmesan.
DOC Alentejo from Herdade do Esporão, which the house presents as its oldest label. In the 2023 vintage, it combines Aragonês, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Trincadeira, with 12 months in French and American oak barrels and six more in bottle. The producer describes red fruit, blackberry, plum and cinnamon; serve between 16 °C and 20 °C.
Like a fruity, smooth red? Start with an Argentine Malbec, such as the Santa Julia or the Kaiken. Prefer an herbal touch? Chilean Cabernet and Carménère, which Wine Folly describes with that herbaceous side. Want something different from the international grapes? Portugal, with its local varieties. At the table, follow what the producers recommend: red meats and lamb for the Chilean reds, veal and bacalhau for the Douro. For a light white, Vinho Verde, served between 8 °C and 10 °C. To compare the grapes in detail, see Malbec, Cabernet or Carménère.
Three labels per country, with store prices and in different price ranges, from typical regions and grapes. This is not a quality ranking: we did not use medals or scores; the flavor comes from the catalog pyramids.
Shelf prices surveyed on September 24, 2026 at Divvino, Zona Sul, Bistek, Savegnago and Giassi, 750 ml bottle; "one store" means only one chain had the wine. Prices change over time and from store to store.
Drink responsibly.
Sources: SBT News, "Importação de vinhos cresce 20% em dois anos e movimenta US$ 561 milhões em 2025" (Caio Aquino, February 18, 2026, with Ministry of Agriculture data); Wine Folly, region guides for Chile, Argentina and Portugal, accessed on September 24, 2026; producers' technical sheets (VSPT/San Pedro, Emiliana, Errázuriz, Santa Julia, Kaiken, El Enemigo, Aveleda, Real Companhia Velha, Esporão); Bebidário price survey at Divvino, Zona Sul, Bistek, Savegnago and Giassi (September 24, 2026).
