by Luis Antunes
Only a few short years ago there were numerous exotic little regions of production in southeastern Portugal such as
Borba, Reguengos, Évora, Moura and Portalegre. Eight years after their reorganisation into the single Denominação de Origem Controlada around the name Alentejo, the region is making a serious effort to increase their exports in terms of volume, value and number of destinations.
Angola is presently the largest importer of Portuguese wines, buying 42 million litres in 2005. While that volume did not increase, the overall value is. The growth for Alentejo, however, was 78% that year - and over 100% in the first semester of 2006. While it was only fifth two years ago, this now makes Angola the second largest foreign market for Alentejo. Four years after the peace agreement that ended three decades of fight, the Angolan economy is growing fast and two very different segments are emerging there: one for large volumes at low cost and another for high quality, expensive wines.
Alentejo is also making efforts to show its wines in other markets. After a presentation at Megavino in Brussels, 16 producers promoted their brands in Luxembourg through a series of tastings and dinners. Similar promotions were undertaken in Poland and Austria. The Polish market has grown by over 65% in value since 2002 - and the hundreds of specialists that went to the IFE Fair in Warsaw recognised the value for money proposition of Alentejo in comparison to the French and Italian market leaders. Austria is a sophisticated market, with strong buying power. Portugal was one of the guests of honour at this year s VieVinum with its 500 exhibitors and 13,000 visitors.
