The Alentejo forecasts a five percent increase in wine production, compared to last year. About 104 million liters will be produced. The pandemic has made exports difficult, forcing producers to focus on the national market.

This year, forecasts point to an increase of five percent in production, compared to 2019. This growth translates, according to the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (CVRA) in about 104 million liters of wine.

For Francisco Mateus, president of CVRA, this is “great news for the region and encouragement for producers”, who have been going through “a turbulent period, with exports predicting a slight fall”.

Despite the fears felt by all producers, José Miguel Almeida, a member of the CVRA board, hopes that this year's campaign will produce “good wines, as has been the case”.

During the ripening phase, he explains, "there was some scald, but the farmers managed to make the grapes reach a good port". Although there is no forecast for an increase in production compared to last year, José Miguel Almeida believes that it will “certainly be a year of good harvests”.

So far, 6.5 million kilograms of grape have already entered the cellar.