Brasília, November 22, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi), an organ linked to the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, begins today the certification of origins that vouch for the quality of wines produced in Rio Grande do Sul. With this measure, the wines produced in the municipality of Bento Gonçalves will bear on their labels a seal that guarantees that the product has passed a rigorous process of selection.

By indicating the geographic origins of the wines of the region, the Inpi recognizes that these products have their own, unmistakable identify, since it determines an association between their characteristics and their origin.

To the extent that there is a guarantee that domestic wines have been submitted to a rigorous test of quality, they receive an official stamp and gain significantly in value. Thus, the wines from the South will become even more competitive internationally, increasing exports and the surplus in the Brazilian trade balance. (DAS)