Follow Portugal Immigration and Portugal Economy: On November 13, 2013, the Portuguese Wine Association (Vini Portugal) led 47 renowned Portuguese wine producers and wineries to participate in the Düsseldorf ProWine China 2013 wine exhibition held in Shanghai. This was one of the largest exhibitions that Portugal has participated in China.
During the exhibition, Portugal's "national treasure" Port wine from the Douro Valley, one of the world's oldest regulated wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage site, fresh and high-acidity white wines from the northwest Vinho Verde region, as well as classic wines from major wine regions such as Alentejo, Bairrada, Douro, and Lisbon were all showcased. The Portuguese Wine Association also specially arranged a tasting event themed "Diverse Portuguese Wines," led by the renowned sommelier from Portugal and Vice President of the Portuguese Sommelier Association, Manuel Moreira, who personally guided Chinese consumers to appreciate and share the unique flavors of fine wines from different regions of Portugal.
“Portugal has a winemaking history of over 4,000 years, and the independent development environment has led Portuguese winemakers to adhere to traditional winemaking techniques.” Jorge Monteiro, President of the Portuguese Wine Association, introduced the characteristics of Portuguese fine wines to Chinese wine enthusiasts, stating, “Portugal's unique microclimate and soil conditions have cultivated over 250 indigenous Portuguese grape varieties, making it one of the countries with the most indigenous grape varieties in the world. These factors are the main reasons why Portuguese wines can consistently maintain their local flavors and characteristics amidst the current trend of homogenization and standardization in wines worldwide. This not only attracts wine lovers from around the world to appreciate our wines but also draws many winemakers from other countries to learn from us.”
“Currently, China has rapidly grown to become one of the more important markets for Portuguese wine, ranking fifth in Portugal's global sales market. In 2012, the import and export value in the Greater China region reached nearly 20 million euros, and in the first quarter of 2013, it had already reached 8.7 million euros, a year-on-year increase of 32.3%.” Nuno Vale, Global Market Director of the Portuguese Wine Association, stated, “In the import and export trade with China, there is an increasing demand from Chinese consumers for mid to high-end wines. By participating in ProWine China 2013, we hope to enhance the visibility of Portuguese wines in the Chinese market and establish good communication channels with Chinese importers and distributors to provide more suitable Portuguese wines for Chinese consumers.”