Douro region chosen as European City of Wine 2023

The Douro region has been chosen, in Brussels, as European City of Wine 2023, an achievement considered "a great and deserved prize for the region" by the mayor of Peso da Régua, José Manuel Gonçalves. The city had already tried for the title in 2018 and that experience resulted in a regional application. 

The "Douro All Around" application was submitted by the Intermunicipal Community of the Douro region (CIM Douro), which integrates the 19 municipalities of the region which is famous for its vineyards.

"This is a great award for the region, a well deserved prize and one that will also help us in what has been the work of the Intermunicipal Community (of the Douro), which is increasingly concerned with our economic development, the sustainability of the whole territory," the mayor told Lusa.

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As European City of Wine 2023 the Douro World Heritage site will be, according to the promoters of the candidacy, "a European reference in wine, vineyards, culture and harmonious celebration of nature and secular work done by generations of Douro citizens. The mayor explained to Lusa that "there will now be a period of preparation, of consolidation of projects, and in 2023 will be the full year of the candidacy. Above all there will be a diverse set of activities that will now be consolidated into more effective projects," he stated.

Bringing the world to the Douro

To develop these activities, the president of Peso da Régua stressed that the Douro region has the expectation of being able to "have increased funding" from entities such as the Northern Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N) and Tourism.

"We hope that 2023 will be a very favourable year for the entire Douro region, in our affirmation, but above all in the valuation of what is our wine, what is our territory, that is what is important, to value it so that we can ensure future sustainability," he pointed out.

The difficulties of the territory, namely the producers, are also present and, after the title achieved, the expectation is to be able to "bring the world to the Douro". He added that "this is our motto which is increasingly present, in the sense that they feel the difficulties we have to maintain this World Heritage status".

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The approval of the application, with the slogan "All Around Wine, All Around Douro", comes at a time when the Douro celebrates 20 years of its elevation to World Heritage status and in which the local concern is "to ensure that future generations receive this World Heritage in sustainable conditions".

In defence of the candidacy, the Mayor of Peso da Régua argued that this "is one of the greatest collective challenges that Douro has ever assumed in its entire history, materialising the desire and the heartbeat of an entire region".

He added that "with this victory we cherish the legitimate desire that the Douro, a major contributor to national exports, makes wine and vines a concrete and real lever for the development of its economy and wealth of those who live and work here".