Mantiqueira de Minas

What it is

A mountain range on the border of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with farms sitting between roughly 950 and 1,450 m. Cool nights and a long, slow ripening give the cup its shape.

What it's known for

Sweetness at altitude. The region has a registered denomination of origin and its farms — Carmo de Minas above all — turn up in the Cup of Excellence results year after year.

The character of the place

Steep ground, small holdings and families who have been on the same slopes for generations. Too steep for machines in most places, so the cherries come off by hand and the separation of lots is done by people who know each block.

Cup attributes

Acidity	bright and citric
Aroma	floral, with sugarcane and red fruit
Body	silky, syrupy
Flavour	honeyed sweetness, stone fruit, cocoa
Finish	long and clean
Varieties	Bourbon Amarelo, Catuaí, Acaiá