The region of Alentejo may have this vintage an increase in wine production between 5 and 10% higher than 2018. The CVRA (Alentejo Regional Wine Commission) has been using, for 20 years, the forecast by the pollen method (pollen collection in the phase flowering) through a partnership with the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, which points in its forecasts for the increase in production.

If the predictions come true, the region could produce between 115 and 120 million liters, higher than the average of the last 5 years, which was 110 million.

Francisco Mateus, president of CVRA, points out that “forecasting is an essential tool for calculating stock levels and responsiveness to market needs”, but adds that “weather will dictate the amount of grapes going produce in the Alentejo ”.
The region, whose size is among the largest in Portugal, with about 22,500 hectares of vineyards, already has producers to harvest, and it is expected that the harvest operations can take place until the end of September.

So far the vineyards are well developed, despite the low rainfall in the region, and there are some situations of misfortune (absence of berry formation).

Last year, like the rest of the country, the Alentejo was hit by a heat wave in the first week of August, which caused grape scorching and production losses in several farmers. Francisco Mateus said that “in 2018 we had about 2/3 of the winegrowers with losses, but the fact that there was heavy rains in spring and more area of ​​vines in production alleviated the situation and the Alentejo increased production after 3 years. successive falls in 2015, 2016 and 2017 ”.

In the words of CVRA's president, “if the current situation is maintained, we foresee a good quality 2019 for Wines of Alentejo”.