WOPIC = Wines of Portugal International Conference

Back yesterday from being the moderator/MC at the first ever WOPIC Wines of Portugal International Conference. A very well organised event, with 400 attendees from all over the globe. The conference included a wine fair, stacked with key producers from Portugal and a range of quality seminars, trips and excellent side show tastings. One of the main themes was The Selection of the Top 10 Touriga Nacionals, with a stellar cast of international wine journalists in the judging panel including Jancis Robinson, Neal Martin, Ned Goodwin, Tom Marthinsen, Guilherme Rodrigues. The plush Yeatman Hotel laid on an excellent and top class tasting room, overlooking the center of Porto, for the final 10 to be chosen from 30 wines (down from 80 originally selected). There were three wines with the same score, so the Top 10 became a Top 12 announced at The Gala Dinner in the beautiful Palacio da Bolsa.
Here are the Top 12:
Alentejo
Alfarez Touriga Nacional 2008
Herdade Sao Miguel Touriga Nacional 2008
Algarve
Marques dos

Vales Grace 2008
Bairrada
Encontro Touriga Nacional 2008
Beira Interior
Quinta do Cardo Touriga Nacional 2008
Dao
Quinta das Mairas 2008
Munda 2008
Perdra Cancela Touriga Nacional 2008
Douro
Churchill’s Estate Touriga Nacional 2008
Inquieto Touriga Nacional 2008
Quinta da Pedra Alta Touriga Nacional 2007
Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional 2008
Munda and Marques dos Vales Grace do not have an agent in the UK.
One of the most interesting pieces of feedback from the conference, which didn’t surprise me, was the discovery for many people, of the high quality of white wines from Portugal.
Podcasts to follow.
The Wine Tipster