Alentejo wine production faces new regulatory specifications

The Institute of Vine and Wine (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho) has announced new production and marketing specifications for wines with the Alentejo Denomination of Origin (DO) and Alentejo Geographical Indication (IG).

Key changes include the removal of the 700-meter maximum altitude reference for the Portalegre sub-region. New labeling regulations now permit the term ‘vinhas velhas’ (old vines) if at least 75% of the vines are 35 years or older, and ‘vinhas velhas centenárias’ (centenary old vines) for vineyards planted before 1931. Yield limits for these designations are set at 5,000 kg per hectare for DO Alentejo and 7,500 kg for IG Alentejano.

Additionally, the designation ‘vinho de talha’ is now permitted for wines produced using traditional fermentation in Alentejo clay amphorae, provided the process lasts until at least November 11 of the harvest year. These wines must be made from a specific list of grape varieties and cannot undergo sweetening or practices to artificially increase sugar or alcohol content. They must be sold exclusively in glass bottles.