600 wines to feature in Wines of Portugal London tasting

The Wines of Portugal Grand Trade Tasting returns to London on 20 March, featuring wines from 60 producers and an exclusive academy.

London will once again play host to Portugal’s finest producers, as Wines of Portugal brings its trade tasting to the Westminster Chapel. The single day tasting will combine producer stands, trend-led areas and educational opportunities.

With longstanding diplomatic ties binding the two countries, the Portuguese wine industry has exported to the UK for centuries. It now ranks as Portugal’s third biggest export market. In 2023, the UK was worth €88m to Portuguese winemakers.

Many of the producers on show are already available in the UK market, and hoping to reinforce their presence. However, there are also a large number seeking new importers and first-time representation.

The selection on show is a comprehensive taste of the country. Wines of Portugal is bringing an entire span of regions to London, from Vinho Verde in the north to the Algarve in the south, as well as wines from the island of Madeira. Showing both better-known varieties, such as Alvarinho and Aragonez, and less widely seen grapes like Encruzado and Baga, the organisers believe there are opportunities for all members of the UK wine trade.

“The UK is a key market for most Portuguese wine producers,” explained Frederico Falcão, Chairman of the ViniPortugal Board. “They are obviously very excited to show what they have been doing in the last 2 years. “The Grand Trade Tasting provides an unparalleled opportunity for trade and press professionals to explore Portugal’s wine landscape first hand.”

The Grand Trade Tasting also offers a world first in educating trade professionals. The Wines of Portugal Academy for Sommeliers – Level 1 is being provided for the first time outside Portugal. According to Falcão, the academy “provides an invaluable opportunity for sommeliers to expand their expertise and enrich their wine programs with the diversity and quality that Portuguese wines offer.”

There will also be a masterclass entitled ‘Hidden Gems of Portugal’ hosted by Portuguese wine expert Dirceu Vianna Junior MW. The guided tasting will use eight wines to explore the rarest of Portugal’s unique and significant heritage of indigenous varieties.

Beyond the opportunity to taste with producers and experts, the tasting will offer a free-pour area. This section has been curated around two important trends: low-intervention wines and wines with less than 11.5% ABV. As consumers seek out such options, Wines of Portugal is keen to show the country can fill that market niche.

As the day’s final event, the Three Wine Men will then lead a consumer tasting. The masterclass, which has already sold out, demonstrates the appeal of Portuguese wines to the UK market. Through both the trade-facing and consumer-facing elements of the programme, Wines of Portugal believes its London tasting can reinforce the case for high-quality Portuguese wine in the UK market.

Wine’s of Portugal’s Grand Trade Tasting takes place on Wednesday 20 March from 10.30am to 5pm. It will take place at the the Westminster Chapel, London, SW1E 6BS.

Registrations for the Grand Trade Tasting, the Wines of Portugal Academy for Sommeliers – Level 1 and the ‘Hidden Gems’ masterclass are mandatory. Attendees can register through this link.