The southern Portuguese city of Baixo Alentejo has been recognised as the European Wine City for 2026.
The announcement, made at an event in Brussels on Wednesday, recognises its wine growing heritage stretching back many years.
Awarded by RECEVIN, the title celebrates regions that combine excellence in winemaking with sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and innovation. It highlights the vital role of wine in Europe’s economy and the growing importance of enotourism as a bridge between tradition and modernity.
In Baixo Alentejo, wine is a symbol of authenticity and community, said Antonio Bota, president of CIMBAL, the local Intermunicipal Council.
Speaking at the event, he said the award was important in a region where an estimated one in four the population are connected to the wine sector.
The area has a wine making history dating back 2,000 years but remains relatively unknown outside of Portugal for its wines including “talha” wine produced from natural methods of wine making. The region, though, has over 500 wine growers cultivating some 6,000 hectares of land.
He said that 13 municipalities will take part in the Wine City project across five themes: arts, heritage, science, sport and “wine on the streets.”
“This is a good chance to showcase not just our wines but our heritage and culture,”
he said.
“The region will showcase how wine culture can inspire sustainable growth and connect people across Europe, “
he said.
“We want to share the quality of our wines with others. People are often surprised by the range and variety of our grapes and wines. But this aware is not just about wine: it is also a way of promoting local tourism,”
added Bota, whose city he represents as mayor is some 150km from the sea.
He also spoke of the impact of climate change on wine growing, saying
“this is a big problem. It is a nightmare”.
“The industry is going through a crisis but wine remains a great product.”
Another speaker was Luis Encarnacao, president of the Association of Portuguese Wine Municipalities, who said the wine sector supported nearly 170,000 jobs in the country and generates some €10bn for the Portuguese economy, representing 2.7percent of its GDP.
Portugal, he added, is now placed in the world’s top ten of wine exporters, covering 40 markets and wine tourism had become a “real” success story.
“In Portugal wine is a lot more than a drink to enjoy. It is a living expression of the landscape,”
he said.
“This award is a powerful instrument for projecting this region and its exceptional wines.”
The Wine City event currently comprises Portugal, Italy and Spain, three of the world’s major wine producers, said Rosa Melchor, of the European Network of Wine Cities.
For the 2026 edition, Baixo Alentejo faced competition from two other candidates:
Comments
3 responses to “Portuguese City Awarded Wine City 2026 Title”
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Isn’t it just charming how a city can be dubbed a ‘Wine City’ while we’re all sitting here pretending to care about wine tourism? 🍷 I mean, who wouldn’t want to drink their way through a place that’s been making wine for 2,000 years but still needs a title to get anyone’s attention? Cheers to that! 😏
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Who knew being named Wine City would turn Baixo Alentejo into the European version of Napa Valley? 🍷 I suppose the locals will now be serving their “talha” wine with a side of sustainability and a sprinkle of innovation, all while keeping one eye on climate change – what a jolly good show! 🍇
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So, let me get this straight: a city known more for its grapes than for its GPS coordinates gets a shiny title in 2026? 🍷 Bravo, Europe, for finding yet another way to celebrate something we already knew – that wine is the true ambassador of culture! 😏
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Finally, a city that can justify its wine consumption with an actual title – I suppose “Wine City 2026” is the new “European Capital of Culture” for those who prefer their heritage in a glass. 🍷 Cheers to 2,000 years of tradition and a future of making drunken tourists feel cultured!
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Portuguese City Awarded Wine City 2026 Title
The southern Portuguese city of Baixo Alentejo has been recognised as the European Wine City for 2026.
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