The 13th edition of the Wines of Portugal Challenge, organized by ViniPortugal, has come to a close, and the top winners have been announced. The Gala Dinner took place on Friday, May 8, at the historic Pal\u00e1cio Duques de Cadaval in \u00c9vora, where the \u201cBest of the Year\u201d awards were presented to the wines that stood out the most among the 1,170 entries.<\/p>\n
In total, 351 awards were presented: 30 Grand Gold, 87 Gold, and 234 Silver, a recognition that underscores the high quality and diversity of Portuguese wines, as well as the growing prestige of the Portuguese wine sector.<\/p>\n
Over the course of three days of technical tastings (May 4, 5, and 6), 141 experts\u201424 of whom were international\u2014including winemakers, sommeliers, journalists, and wine educators, carefully evaluated the wines in competition. The samples awarded Gold Medals underwent a further evaluation by the Grand Jury, composed of Bento Amaral, Dirceu J\u00fanior MW, Lu\u00eds Lopes, Paulo Nunes, John Sumners, and Victoria Mackenzie MW, who selected the Best of the Year and the Grand Gold Medals.<\/p>\n
In this edition, the most awarded region was the Douro, with a total of 98 medals.<\/p>\n
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The Best of the Year<\/b> awards were presented in the following categories:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis competition plays a very important role in shaping how Portuguese wines are perceived abroad. By bringing together international judges with diverse backgrounds\u2014from sommeliers to journalists and opinion leaders\u2014we are creating a network of ambassadors who have firsthand knowledge of the quality, diversity, and authenticity of what is produced in Portugal. This direct contact is crucial for boosting confidence in and the presence of our wines in foreign markets,<\/b>\u201d says Frederico Falc\u00e3o, ViniPortugal’s CEO.<\/p>\n Wines awarded Grand Gold and Gold medals are guaranteed a spot at international events organized by ViniPortugal throughout the year, which reinforces the competition\u2019s role as a strategic platform for international promotion.<\/p>\n The Wines of Portugal Challenge is a leading event in the industry and, at the same time, a meeting place for producers, experts, sommeliers, and national and international influencers who share their experiences with one another during the event. In addition, ViniPortugal fosters close ties with the international judges, offering them an immersive experience in the world of Portuguese wine. An itinerary is created that includes visits to producers, as well as dinners at traditional restaurants, where Portuguese wines are paired with local cuisine, highlighting the Portuguese people\u2019s cultural connection to wine and the diversity of the wine-growing regions. It is in this context that, every year, the Awards Gala takes place in a different region of the country, highlighting the variety of Portuguese terroirs and helping to give the sector even greater visibility among international audiences.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n