Center for Wine Origins Announces January 27th as Port Day and Launches Photo Contest

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for Wine Origins is proud to announce that January 27 will be "Port Day." The inaugural event encourages the celebration of this unique wine that only comes from Portugal. Consumers from around the world are encouraged to participate in the celebration of this authentic wine and raise awareness about the need to protect the Port name.

Consumers can join Port Day online by blogging, tweeting, or posting about this exceptional wine by using the #PortDay hashtag. Or, they can join one of the numerous retail and restaurant tastings that are being planned in locations across the United States. To stay up-to-date on the most current news regarding Port Day or to register an event, visit http://bit.ly/vUenZr.

As part of this celebration, the Center is hosting a contest to encourage U.S. consumers to photograph their favorite authentic Port wines. To enter the contest to win an iPad 2, entrants should send a picture of an authentic Port label to [email protected] with the subject line "Port Day 2012 Photo Contest Entry" or post the picture to their Facebook profile and tag the Center for Wine Origins in the picture. One Grand Prize winner will be selected randomly on January 25 and receive an iPad 2. Complete contest rules are available at http://www.wineorigins.com/?p=1501.

There are many quality fortified and dessert wines, but true Port only comes from the Port appellation in Portugal, one of the world's oldest regulated and demarcated wine regions. Port grapes are grown in the Douro Valley, located approximately 60 miles from the city of Porto, where Port gets its name. The Douro Valley is surrounded by rugged mountain ranges that produce a hot, dry climate. While the flaky, arid soil presents unique challenges for the winemakers who build row upon row of terraces, it's the combination of the climate and soil that makes Port unlike any other wine. That's why its name can only be used on a label if the grapes and the wine are produced, under strict controls, in the Port appellation.

Unfortunately, today the Port name is misused on wine bottles across the world and particularly in the United States. Wines produced not from the grapes grown in the Douro Valley are misleading consumers to believe it is Port by improperly putting the name on its label. When shopping for Port and entering the contest, make sure to look for the seal of the approval and confirm that the wine comes from Portugal.

Remember to join in #PortDay either online or offline at your local wine bar or restaurant with friends. For more information about #PortDay visit: http://portday2012.eventbrite.com/. For more information on the photo contest and the Center visit www.wineorigins.com.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR WINE ORIGINS

The Center for Wine Origins was founded in 2005 by the wine growing regions of Champagne, France, and Porto, Portugal. These are both regulated by the European system of appellations, designed to ensure authenticity and quality for consumers. The Center represents the Comte Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the trade association that represents all the grape growers and houses of Champagne; and the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), the trade association that represents all the grape growers and houses in Porto and the Douro Valley. The campaign is financed with support from the European Union, as well as France and Portugal. Visit us online at www.wineorigins.com.

SOURCE Center for Wine Origins