AICEP
Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal

Over the past 15 years, Portugal has become very competitive in producing world-class wines and an award winning country in this field. Not surprisingly, day after day, there are Portuguese wines winning prestigious awards around the world. Two Portuguese brands are among the world’s Top 100 strongest wine brands. This helps to explain the success of Portuguese wines in International markets that accounted for a turnover of 650 million euro in 2011. Of course, Port wine plays an important role here accounting for 301 million euro. 

Portugal is ranked 5th in Europe as a wine producing country. Vineyards can be found throughout the country, covering a total area of approximately 258 000 acres. The wine sector accounts for 50% of the total agricultural turnover, with approximatly 13 thousand companies and employing 28% of the agricultural workforce.

Portugal's unique diversity of landscape, soil and climate conditions, together with its expertise and knowledge of grape varieties, combine to create superb wines.  The wines produced in Portugal vary across regions and grape varieties creating a wide range of genuine Portuguese varieties.

To maintain the quality and authenticity of the wine, Portugal is divided into several demarcated regions, wich are distinct from one another, not only in their grape varieties, but also in the climate, relief and type of soil. The first delimitation of an area was established in 1756, under the name "Região Demarcada do Douro". These regions produce wines for different markets and price levels and they are subdivided in three major categories: DOC (Denomination of Control Wines), Vinho Regional (Regional Wine) and Vinho de Mesa (Table Wine).

Portuguese wines have a particular gastronomic relevance, as they may complement diferent kinds of foods, resulting in a combination of aromas and flavors, offering those who savor them truly unique moments.