In the 17th edition of «Essência do Vinho» the main highlight of the event, as usual, was for the selection of the “TOP 10 Portuguese Wines - Revista de Vinhos”, which brought together the best punctuated labels by a prestigious international jury at the Arab Salon of the Palácio da Bolsa, in Porto.

Once again, the Alentejo was in the spotlight, collecting two of the places on the list, with two red wines. Grande Rocim Reserva 2015, from Herdade do Rocim (Vidigueira), was considered the best red of the year. The second best red of the year was Obssession 2007, from Alentejo producer Altas Quintas (Portalegre).

For the “TOP 10” final, the tasting panel of Revista de Vinhos pre-selected a total of 46 wines, which obtained the best scores in the publication throughout 2019: white, rosé, red and fortified (Ports, Madeiras and Muscatels). Experts and invited opinion leaders from a dozen countries (Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, USA, England, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland) joined Portuguese and proved, in a blind test, on the morning of 20 February, at Palácio da Bolsa, the 46 wines. The results were announced at the dinner held at Feitoria Inglesa, Friday, the 21st.

Using the blind test method, the jury was composed of Portuguese tasters and "invited experts and opinion leaders from a dozen countries - Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, USA, England, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland. Among them: journalist Jamie Goode (Sunday Express, United Kingdom), Sarah Ahmed (United Kingdom), José Peñin (Spain), Loîc Pasquet (France), Yuri Koster and Cees van Casteren MW (Netherlands), Mabel Lai (China), Bruno Almeida (USA), Cássia Campos (Brazil).

Essência do Vinho - Porto features over 400 producers, including around 40 from Alentejo, and around 4,000 wines represented and in tasting, from Portugal and the world, 50 parallel activities that include thematic tastings, wine talks, harmonization food and wine dinners.