During remarks to journalists in Braga at the opening of the Vinho Verde Fest, José Manuel Fernandes stated that the amount of support will depend on producer participation and the quantity of grapes delivered.
“We have a plan where there will be support for producers, especially small producers, if they distill for aguardente and commit to reducing production areas in the future. We cannot move towards distillation and wine destruction every year. Distillation has been for industrial alcohol, but even for aguardente, from 2020 to 2024, it involved 54 million euros and resolved nothing,” he noted.
José Manuel Fernandes mentioned that the government’s plan includes “structural measures” with the primary goal of ensuring that producers do not lose income.
“And they are constantly losing income,” he emphasized.
Therefore, the government has a series of proposals so that producers “do not lose benefits, even if they reduce production areas.”
This concerns supports for the replacement of crops.
“This could include spaces that provide income over several years, but are like woodlands that do not spoil the landscape. The landscape derived from vineyards in places like the Douro is a significant asset to the territory,” he highlighted.
He recalled that in 2024, the government took actions that should have been implemented “much earlier,” notably the release of funds designated for promoting the Douro and Porto Wine Institute and the Wine and Vine Institute.
“It’s a shame they were always withheld,” he criticized.
He added that it was also in 2024 that the prohibition of wine must circulation in the Douro Demarcated Region was enforced and regulations were bolstered.
“The plan we have, submitted to the Interprofessional Council of the IVDP for discussion, both to producers and merchants, includes some measures open for discussion, hence the use of terms like study and evaluate, to gather contributions,” he stated further.
Regarding the study requested by the ministry to determine the legal and economic feasibility of producing Port wine exclusively with aguardente vínica from the Douro Demarcated Region, José Manuel Fernandes revealed that a “draft” exists but is not yet finalized.
“Besides the character and requirement we have in terms of legal compliance, it’s crucial not to worsen producers’ conditions or increase product costs to the point that existing stock or future products become unsellable,” he remarked.
For the official, incorporating aguardente “can be a plus,” but it must be “an anonymous incorporation” and “not compromise the entire wine stock.”
“I still have hope, and a hopeful belief, that much more could be done in terms of promotion. I’m not satisfied with having 20 million euros for promotion and receiving applications for only 12 million,” he concluded.
