Despite the fact Brazil is a relative newcomer to the production of luxury-branded wines; it has proved very successful in strengthening its position in the market. A few years ago the wine world didn't know about Brazilian wines. It has been proven historically that grape cultivation and wine production did not exist in America until 1492. With the arrival of the Spanish and later the Portuguese the cultivation of vines started, being people that traditionally incorporated wine in their diet. Although émigrés from Italy and France have created viticulture over a century old, local wines have been of rather poor quality. The cultivation of native vines was predominant, although farmers showed enthusiasm for the cultivation of imported varieties. The French varieties that enjoyed the greatest preference were Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.