The Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (IVV) published in the Portuguese Official Gazette on August 31st the new rules for wines with Denomination of Origin "Alentejo" and Geographical Indication "Alentejano", following decisions by the General Council of the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission.
Among the main changes is the creation of specific criteria for the designations "Old Vines" and "Centennial Old Vines". For "Old Vines", at least 75% of the vines must be 35 years or older. For "Centennial Old Vines", the planting year must be 1931 or earlier. Maximum yields are set at 5,000 kilograms per hectare for DO "Alentejo" and 7,500 kilograms per hectare for IG "Alentejano".
The Portalegre sub-region no longer has the 700-meter altitude limitation, removing this barrier from the production area. Talha Wine can now also be used in IG "Alentejano", in addition to DO "Alentejo", subject to specific conditions, such as fermentation in traditional Alentejo clay amphorae and the wine remaining in them until at least November 11th of the harvest year. Chaptalization, practices to increase sugar or alcohol content, and the use of wood during production are also prohibited.
