23 May 2024

At the 11th edition of the Wines of Portugal Competition, promoted by ViniPortugal, the best wines of 2024 were celebrated during a gala ceremony at the historic Mosteiro de Alcobaça. The evening was marked by the award of 383 medals, 32 of which were Grand Gold, 95 Gold and 256 Silver, highlighting the excellence of Portuguese winemaking.

During April 29 and 30 and May 1, a panel of 132 experts, made up of 108 national and 24 international judges, assessed more than 1,300 wines in rigorous technical sessions. Then a Grand Jury, made up of Bento Amaral, Dirceu Júnior MW, James Tidwell MS, Luís Lopes and Francisco Antunes, assessed the gold award-winning wines on May 2 and 3 to award the titles of Best of the Year and Great Golds.

The verdict also concluded that the most awarded region in this Edition was the Douro and Porto Region, winning 16 medals. The Best of the Year were chosen by category:

Best of the Year - Julio B. Bastos- Alicante Bouschet Alentejo 2018

Best Liqueur of the Year - Graham's Single Harvest Port 1974

Best Red Varietal of the Year - Julio B. Bastos- Alicante Bouschet Alentejo 2018

Best White Varietal of the Year - Anselmo Mendes Loureiro Private Vinhos Verdes 2020

Best Red Wine (Blend) - Altas Quintas Reserva Alentejo 2019 - Altas Quintas-Expl Agricola e Vinícola

Best White Wine (Blend) - Quinta do Noval Reserva Douro White 2022

Best Sparkling Wine of the Year - Quinta da Lagoa Velha Cuvée Bairrada 2015

In the “Grande Ouro” awards, Douro appears with exactly half of the 32 awards. On the list of winners are three Port wines (Graham's best of the year and two 50-year-old Kopke, one Tawnie and the other White) and 13 still reds and whites. The Alentejo followed with six wines. With half of these awards came Dão and Lisboa, with three distinctions each. Finally, Bairrada, Vinhos Verdes and Península de Setúbal received a “Great Gold”. There were also 95 gold medals and 256 silver medals.

Frederico Falcão, president of ViniPortugal, highlighted the significant response to the competition: “We've been organizing this competition for eleven years now and we continue to have a very significant response, both from the producers who enter their wines and from the national and international judges who readily accept our invitation.” The event was attended by tasters from various countries, including Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong and Mexico.

The Wines of Portugal Competition is not just an awards event, but also an important meeting point for producers, experts, sommeliers and influencers, promoting a rich exchange of experiences. This initiative reaffirms Portugal's position as a country of excellence in wine production on the international stage.

The wines awarded the Grand Gold and Gold medals will have the opportunity to be presented at prominent international events later this year, ensuring the visibility and global recognition that Portuguese wines deserve.

The full list of winners can be found on the Vinhos de Portugal Competition website at: https://concursovinhosdeportugal.pt/.