Recife, October 13, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - On Friday (10), in Petrolina, in the backlands of Pernambuco, the president of the Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Company), Clayton Campanhola, laid the cornerstone of the micro-vinification laboratory, which will monitor the quality of wine produced in the São Francisco River Valley. Construction of the unit will cost R$ 5.3 million, R$ 1 million of which will come from the Studies and Projects Finance Agency (Finep) and the rest, counterpart funds from the Technological Institute Foundation of Pernambuco (ITEP).

The launching ceremony occurred during the III Seminar on Wine-growing in Pernambuco, sponsored by the Embrapa, to discuss policies for the development of the regional wine-production pole with rural producers, technical specialists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and representatives of the Bank of the Northeast.

Wine production in Pernambuco, concentrated in 8 wineries, which already produce seven million liters annually, does approximately R$ 50 million worth of business each year. The São Francisco River Valley offers climatic conditions that permit more than a single grape harvest per year, resulting in the production of quality wines possessing differentiated characteristics. (DAS)