In the present research, we studied wines from three different south Brazilian winemaking regions with the purpose of differentiating them by geographical origin of the grapes. Brazil's wide territory and climate diversity allow grape cultivation and winemaking in many regions of different and unique characteristics. The wine grape cultivation for winemaking concentrates in the South Region, mainly in the Serra Gaúcha, the mountain area of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is responsible for 90% of the domestic wine production. However, in recent years, two new production regions have developed: the Campanha, the plains to the south and the Serra do Sudeste, the hills to the southeast of the state. Analysis of isotopic ratios of (18)O/(16)O of wine water, (13)C/(12)C of ethanol, and of minerals were used to characterize wines from different regions. The isotope analysis of δ(18)O of wine water and minerals Mg and Rb were the most efficient to differentiate the regions. By using isotope and mineral analysis, and discrimination analysis, it was possible to classify the wines from south Brazil.

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We present a method that can differentiate between the varieties of grapes and the vintages of wines and show the relationship between the grapes, the wine and the geographic location. The place of origin and its geographic and climatic characteristics were determined by the isotopic ratios, (13)C/(12)C of the ethanol and (18)O/(16)O of the water content of wine (wine water), for southern Brazil wines. The producing subregions of Pinto Bandeira, Vale dos Vinhedos and Nova Pádua showed differences in the temperature, rainfall and humidity conditions used for the production under microvinification conditions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties, in the harvests of 2005 and 2006. An isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to an elemental analyzer was used to measure the (13)C/(12)C of ethanol and the (18)O/(16)O of wine water. Regardless of the grape variety used, it was possible to determine the subregion through measurement of the δ(18)O values in both harvests. The altitudes of the different subregions led to statistical differences and demonstrated an influence mainly on the δ(18)O values of wine water. The δ(18)O value of wine water was determined to be more selective for the determination of the cultivation subregions than the δ(13)C value of the ethanol. The altitude and latitude influenced mainly the δ (18)O values of wine water and the ethanol. The climatic influences are more noteworthy in distinguishing the year of the harvest than the cultivation subregion.

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