WIPO Magazine, Issue No. 2, 2002

13WIPO Magazine/February 2002Wine aging in wooden casks in Vale dos VinhedosOnce the studies had been finalized,APROVALE claimed the registrationof its geographical indication at INPIand established a regulatory councilaimed at making regulations tomaintain and preserve the geographicalindication. This councilwas a pioneer in Brazil, creatingthe first national statutes for a geographicalindication, as well as itsrules and procedures. The local producersrespect the technical rulesin the document, and their productsare steadily improving in qualityand standard, and gaining widespreadrecognition in national andinternational circles.In Pursuit of aGeographical IndicationThe local wine producers carriedout a number of activities in orderto have a geographical indicationtitle granted. Initially, they createdAPROVALE, which included notonly the wine-growing establishmentsof the valley but all enterprisesconnected with tourism,agribusiness and the supply ofvinicultural inputs. Its principalmission: to develop and motivateresearch connected with viticultureto preserve and protect the geographicalindication of the wines inthe region.The Association developed a programthat aims at making the regioninto a national – and perhaps international– point of reference forproducts related to wine. For theimplementation of this project, therecognition of a geographical indicationwould be a positive factor, asit would bring an increase in consumptionand tourism and motivatemore producers to install winegrowingestablishments in the area.The Association ordered, in cooperationwith the Foundation of Supportto Research of the State of RioGrande do Sul (FAPERGS), a studyon the necessary specific knowledgefor a geographical indication. Theinstitutions involved with thisproject were the Brazilian Enterprisefor Agricultural Studies (EMBRAPA)and the University of Caxias do Sul(UCS). In 1999, the results werepublished in a book called “Valedos Vinhedos - CaracterizaçãoGeográfica da Região” (Vineyards’Valley - Geographical Characterizationof the Region).The example of the Vale dosVinhedos has stimulated other producersto consider the acquisitionof a national certificate of geographicalindication to strengthentheir products’ position on the internationalmarket and consolidateBrazil’s image as a developingcountry of great wealth and resources.The WIPO Magazine acknowledgesthe assistance of University ofCaxias do Sul and the Brazilian EnterpriseAgricultural Studies(EMBRAPA) in the preparation ofthis article.¨