ARMAZEM VIEIRA
AGED CACHAÇA
SANTA CATARINA ISLAND
SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Armazem Vieira cachaça is made from the syrup of sugar cane boiled. The cane used is known in Brazil as cana fita or crioula (Saccharum syneensi). Armazem Vieira is made like rum, distilling wine from sugar cane juice.

The sugar cane was brought to the Santa Catarina Island ("Ilha de Santa Catarina"), in southern Brazil, from the Islands of Madeira and the Azores. It was introduced to the coastal mountain region of the Island of Santa Catarina in the 18th Century by the immigrants of these islands.

The syrup is a result of boiling the sugar cane juice, known in Brazil as "garapa". Heated in copper trays, the syrup is sterilized. The sterilization process discourages the growth of bacteria. Bacteria is commonly present in the sugar cane juice extract. This sterilized Syrup, not require additives or preservatives because is also rich in B vitamin. The fermentation of the syrup is accomplished with the addition of regional wild yeast required in the fermentation process in order to produce ethyl alcohol and other components essential to the bouquet.

The wine, the product of fermentation, is then distilled in a traditional copper "alambique" (the local name for "Pot still") with retrograde plates that separate and define the "head", the "heart" and the "tail" of the cachaça. This spirit is a product of the head and becomes a healthier spirit.

Cachaça, aguardente de cana (cane spirit) and rum are all spirit of sugar cane products, and are made from sugar cane juice (garapa), sugar cane juice boiled (caldo-de-cana) or from the sugar production remaining (melaço). Naturally the best is from caldo-de-cana like Armazem Vieira.

The aging process lasts for longs periods. Today is eighteen years, with a minimum period of two years, and takes place in vats made from the wood of the region, providing the unique taste and color.

Following the aging, the alcohol strength is adjusted and the cachaça is filtered, guaranteeing the brilliance and transparency of the spirit. The Armazem Vieira's cachaça is placed in handcrafted bottles individually labeled and crated, six to a case.

Armazem Vieira also produce batidas, pure juice of regional tropical fruits whit cachaça.

The cachaça and batidas of the Armazem Vieira label have reached many parts of the world via brazilian's, tourists, business people and travelers. Often presented as a gift representing the nostalgic aspects of southern Brazil as well as the lifestyle and culture of Santa Catarina Island.

These liquors of Armazem Vieira have traveled to Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, United States, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, England, Finland, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia and as far reaching as Japan and Australia.