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 Palácio Duques de Cadaval in Évora, where the “Best of the Year” awards were presented to the wines that stood out the most among the 1,170 entries.
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.
Over the course of three days of technical tastings (May 4, 5, and 6), 141 experts—24 of whom were international—including 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 Júnior MW, Luís Lopes, Paulo Nunes, John Sumners, and Victoria Mackenzie MW, who selected the Best of the Year and the Grand Gold Medals.
In this edition, the most awarded region was the Douro, with a total of 98 medals.
The Best of the Year awards were presented in the following categories:
- Best of the Year – Chryseia, 2023
- Best Fortified Wine of the Year – Henriques & Henriques Boal 30 Years
- Best Red Varietal Wine of the Year – Quinta do Noval, Touriga Nacional, 2021
- Best White Varietal of the Year – Encontro 1, Arinto, 2017
- Best Red Wine (Blend) of the Year – Chryseia, 2023
- Best White Wine (Blend) of the Year – Quinta das Bágeiras Fogueira, 2023
- Best Sparkling Wine of the Year – Andreza Espumante Brut Nature, 2020
“This competition plays a very important role in shaping how Portuguese wines are perceived abroad. By bringing together international judges with diverse backgrounds—from sommeliers to journalists and opinion leaders—we 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,” says Frederico Falcão, ViniPortugal's CEO.
Wines awarded Grand Gold and Gold medals are guaranteed a spot at international events organized by ViniPortugal throughout the year, which reinforces the competition’s role as a strategic platform for international promotion.
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’s 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.
The complete list of winners can be found on the Vinhos de Portugal Competition website at: https://concursovinhosdeportugal.pt/.
