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Sparkling wines in Portugal
These are mainly produced in the regions of Bairrada, Tavora Varosa, Vinho Verde, Douro, Dao, Ribatejo, Terras do Sado and Alentejo.
Barraida region
- The region has produced sparking wines for over 100 years.
- Main Portuguese region to market sparkling wines.
- The region alone produces 50 % of the country’s total output, with 5 million bottles.
- Area of vineyards: 10 000 hectares, 20 % of which produce sparkling wines.
- Grape varieties used: Bical, Arinto, Maria Gomes, Chardonnay and Baga.
- Standard traditional method of wine production.
- Half of the 90 companies involved in production and bottling produce sparkling wines.
- The region is the largest consumer of sparkling wines.
Tavora-Varosa region
- Vineyards cover 2 100 ha. About 15 000 wine growers involved.
- Sparkling wine production was 5.8 million litres in 2003.
- Grape varieties used: Malvasia Fina, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Francesca.
- Sparkling wines from the Murganheira cellars have an international reputation.
Vinho Verde region
- Launch in 2000 of Vinho Verde Espumante, a light, refreshing slightly sparkling wine. The region now produces over 16 labels of this wine.
- 35 000 ha of vineyards, accounting for 15 % or Portugal’s wine growing area.
- Grape varieties used: Alvarinho, Avesso, Azal, Trajadura, Arinto.
Sparkling wines consumption
Statistics for the period from June 2004 to June 2005:
- 29.2 million euros business turnover, i.e. 4.2 % in volume and 4.3 % in value.
- 6.6 million bottles sold.
- Significant drop in consumption.
- Sales of champagne dropped by 20 % in value and in volume, with 120 000 bottles sold for a business turnover of 3.3 million euros.
- Sales of sparkling wines dropped by 65.1 % with 27 000 bottles sold.
- Asti: 1.2 million bottles for a business turnover of 5.3 million euros. Value dropped by 3.4 %.
- Other sparkling wines account for 5.2 million bottles for a business turnover of 20.6 million euros.
Imports of sparkling wines
- 5 million litres for a business turnover of 17.26 million euros.
- Main suppliers: France (8.57 M euros), Italy (7.41 M euros) and Spain (6.27 M euros).
Exports of sparkling wines
- Significant rise: 1.9 million euros for a volume of 484 446 litres.
Development potential
- Production of sparkling wine expected to increase by 20 to 30 % by 2010.
- New product expected: Vinho Verde Espumante.
- Major communication campaigns.
- The Portuguese ministry of agriculture maintains support for the wine producing industry, which is a government priority.
Languages used: Portuguese, English, French.
Source: Economic mission to Lisbon, 2006
