The quality and diversity of Portuguese wines was once again recognized in another edition of the Wines of Portugal Challenge. After 1,382 wines evaluated by national and international experts, the jury distributed 423 medals: 29 Grand Golds, 98 Golds and 296 Silver medals. Douro collected more gold medals (11) compared to the other regions, followed by the Alentejo (7) and Dão (4). The winners were revealed this Friday night during the awards ceremony of the Wines of Portugal Challenge, at the Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões. Bernardo Gouvêa, President of the Vine and Wine Institute (IVV), participated in the event. The grand awards of Wines of Portugal Challenge, which distinguish the best among the 423 awarded wines, were distributed in the regions of Bairrada, Douro, Dão, Alentejo and Península de Setúbal: Best of the Year Quinta Vale D. Maria Vineyard of the Francisca (2016) | Douro | Producer: Aveleda, S.A. Best of the Year Fortified Wine Wire Moscatel de Setúbal 20 years | Península Setúbal | Producer: José Maria da Fonseca Vinhos, S.A. Best Red Varietal Great Rocim (2015) | Alentejo | Producer: Rocim Agroindústria. Investments Best White Varietal Villa Oliveira Encruzado (2016) | Dão | Producer: O Abrigo da Passarela, Lda Best Red Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca (2016) | Douro | Producer: Aveleda, S.A. Best White Quinta Pedra Escrita Bio Reserve (2017) | Douro | Producer: Rui Roboredo Madeira, Vinhos, S.A. Best Sparkling Wine Luiz Costa Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (2015) | Bairrada | Producer: Caves São João, Lda. The complete list of winners is available on the Wines of Portugal Challenge website and can be found here. Jorge Monteiro, ViniPortugal CEO, makes a positive assessment of the 2019 Wines of Portugal Challenge. Year after year we have been able to produce the Wines of Portugal Challenge in its different dimensions, namely the number of wines subscribed, as well as the presence of more international experts, who have acceded to the invitation to come to discover our winemaking process. More than a competition, the Wines of Portugal Challenge is a week dedicated to celebrating the quality of Portuguese wines. It’s an important moment for the economic agents involved in the wine industry and an excellent opportunity to create awareness about Portuguese wines. The international specialists will return to their countries of origin well informed about the quality of our wines thanks to the parallel initiatives, which includes wine dinners, visits to producers and masterclasses, concludes the ViniPortugal CEO. Just like the previous editions, the 2019 Wines of Portugal Challenge had a first phase, held at the CNEMA in Santarém, where each wine was evaluated by a jury composed of national and international wine experts, among winemakers, journalists, sommeliers and other individuals connected to wine. Based on the first phase results, the Grand Jury, composed of Dirceu Vianna Júnior (MW), United Kingdom, Evan Goldstein (MS), Thomas Vaterlaus, Switzerland, Bento Amaral and Luís Lopes, president of the Competition, selected the best wines in competition, awarded with Grand Golds and “Best of the Year” medals. The Wines of Portugal Challenge is an important vehicle to the international promotion of Portuguese winemakers. The wines awarded with the Grand Gold and Gold Medals in the Wines of Portugal Challenge will have a guaranteed presence in international events of excellence of 2019. International personalities recognized for their contribution to Portuguese wines exports The Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões was also the stage for a very special moment. ViniPortugal distinguished international personalities who contributed to the affirmation of Portuguese wines in foreign markets. The first edition of the "Personality of the Year" Award, established in 2019 by ViniPortugal, rewarded Charles Metcalfe (Europe), Sebastião Vemba (Africa), Mark Squires (Americas) and Takenori Beppu (Asia). The "Personality of the Year" Award results from the recognition of the important role played by a wide range of professionals, influencers and prescribers in the Wines of Portugal promotion. The effort to promote the Wines of Portugal in the international markets is a collective work that, in order to achieve success, needs to have continuity on the side of those who speak, write, evaluate, promote or sell our wines in different markets. Fortunately today, those who work daily in the promotion of our wines and the appreciation of our exports are very good. Recognizing the importance, ViniPortugal decided, from 2019, to symbolically pay homage to someone in each of the four continents / markets where the brand "Wines of Portugal" is present: America, Africa, Asia and Europe, says Jorge Monteiro, ViniPortugal CEO. The"Personalities of the Year" selection resulted from several phases, in a collaborative process with the different players in the national wine industry. In a first phase, ViniPortugal, in collaboration with CVRs and associations, developed the process of selecting eligible personalities in each of the continents. The final vote was completed by the companies of the wine sector through the digital platform of ViniPortugal.