In a note published today on the Presidency’s site, it is stated that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa approved the government’s decree that “establishes the status of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications for the Demarcated Douro Region.”
Last week, at a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting, the Minister of Agriculture announced the approval of a decree-law that “defines the Douro Designation of Origin status and protected indications,” and abolishes the restriction that only allowed those with a stock of 75,000 liters to sell Port wine.
“This restriction of 75,000 liters was a barrier for any young winemaker wanting to commercialize Port wine. We have now eliminated this minimum stock requirement,” he explained.
A government statement published a few days later noted that the new status also requires “bottling at the origin for the Duriense Protected Geographical Indication and for all wines and spirits with PDO from the Douro Region, ensuring greater quality, authenticity, and reputation.”
“The decree strengthens the legal protection of the names, prohibiting the use of regional names on wines that do not qualify for PDO or PGI status, recognizes Douro brandy as a PGI, and introduces the category of Port wine vinegar,” the statement adds. This includes “the digitalization of processes, legislative simplification by referring matters to implementing regulations, and the formal recognition of the Interprofessional Council as a producers’ group.”
