Making the seal of sustainable production known, unprecedented in Portugal, is the objective of the initiative in what is one of the main export markets in the region.

The Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (CVRA) will take the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program (WASP) to London, for the first time, to publicize the certification it holds, which is unique in Portugal and which guarantees that wines produced in Alentejo region comply with more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable practices.

With this presentation to opinion leaders, journalists and economic agents, CVRA intends to consolidate its strategic position in the United Kingdom, with special emphasis on the appreciation of the average price of wine, and to captivate consumers whose environmental concerns are part of the purchase decision variables. .

The English market was one of the most outstanding export destinations for Alentejo Wines in the last two years, with growth of 171% in value and 155% in volume. “There are more and more markets where consumers are aware and aware of how wines are produced. Therefore, it is essential that our program is increasingly recognized in the markets to which we export”, explains Francisco Mateus, president of CVRA, recalling that Alentejo wines export around 30% of their production.

Certification is being increasingly valued and works as a guarantee, in the eyes of consumers and strategic markets, that wine production can be part of the solution and not the problem when it comes to climate change. It is recalled that PSVA is an initiative that was born in 2015, and that places the Alentejo region as a pioneer in the implementation of sustainable agriculture measures.

In 2020, CVRA launched the sustainable production certification seal that, so far, remains the only one in Portugal. The choice of more resilient varieties; the implementation of agricultural practices that enhance soil protection and the promotion of biodiversity; efficient use of energy and water; the use of renewable energies, and more sustainable materials in the packaging of products; as well as social responsibility initiatives that involve not only employees, but also the local community, are some of the fundamental certification requirements for the attribution of this certification.

“The true sustainability of production incorporates three factors with the same order of importance: the environmental, the economic and the social. Which is the same as saying, the planet, people and progress, since these axes are interconnected and inseparable when it comes to sustainability”, recalls João Barroso, responsible for PSVA. Currently, PSVA already has 513 members, representing 47% of the vineyard area planted in Alentejo, and 10 certified producers. By the end of the year, the wine region expects to surpass the barrier of 20 certified producers.