Douro wine producers protest as regional crisis deepens

Small-scale viticulturists in the Douro region are protesting at the headquarters of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto in Régua due to an ongoing crisis. For the third consecutive year, buying houses have notified producers that they will not purchase grapes for Port or table wines. This is driven by market oversupply and changing global consumption habits regarding Port wine.

While the government has provided millions in subsidies for wine destruction, critics argue these funds primarily benefit large estates, leaving small and medium-sized producers struggling to maintain the sustainability of the region.

In separate news within the Portuguese wine sector, the Morgado de Silgueiros Touriga Nacional 2023 was named the best wine at the 17th edition of the Dão wine competition, an award that surprised many local producers.