Wines of Portugal Unveils the 50 Great Portuguese Wines of 2016

Respected throughout the wine industry, these three Master Sommeliers bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the challenging task of selecting the country's top wines. Peter comes with more than 30 years of industry knowledge and has received the coveted "Sommelier of the Year" award from the James Beard Foundation. Dennis worked at Thomas Keller's French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley for over 10 years, seven of which as Head Sommelier. Madeline has directed wine programs and events in the Detroit area for over 30 years and was the second woman ever to pass the Master Sommelier exam.

The 50 Great list is the pinnacle announcement during a multi-seminar trade tasting in New York City, hosted by Wines of Portugal and moderated by the three panelists and Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein.

"This year's 50 Great Portuguese Wines list is crafted from over 10 high-quality regions, such as Douro, Alentejo and Dão, and presents the variety and depth of Portuguese wines produced throughout the country," said Evan Goldstein. "The panel of three Master Sommeliers selected a thoughtful list that underlines Portugal's greatest strengths, from indigenous varietals to unrelenting value."

The 50 Great announcement this year comes on the heels of encouraging export data from ViniPortugal. According to recent data, export of Portuguese wines to the US increased by 16.3% in 2015 with dry wines leading the charge with an increase of 22.6%. A recent Wine Market Council study shows that 25% of high frequency wine drinkers purchase Portuguese wines, with 39% of those purchases from Millennials, poising the country for even greater success in 2016.

"We are thrilled with the rising interest and demand for Portuguese wine in the US, particularly among the younger consumers," said Nuno Vale, Marketing Director for Wines of Portugal. "In our third year of the 50 Great program, we continue to celebrate producers who create stunning wines that capture the hearts of the next generation of wine drinkers."

"Our goal is to share that excitement with key trade members and encourage them to explore the best of Wines of Portugal," said Eugenio Jardim, US Ambassador for Wines of Portugal.

50 Great Portuguese Wines is presented today through four seminars at The High Line Hotel in New York. The complete list of wines can be found here: www.tinyurl.com/50Great2016.

For more information about Wines of Portugal, please visit www.winesofportugal.com.

For more information contact:  Nicole Farin, [email protected], 917-741-3835

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SOURCE Wines of Portugal