Wine competitions continue to influence consumer trends, restaurant choices and the notoriety of national producers inside and outside Portugal. Every year, hundreds of references are evaluated by experts, in a process that ends up highlighting labels capable of gaining international dimension and reinforcing the weight of the Portuguese wine sector.
In the most recent Wines of Portugal Competition, a Douro red stood out among 1,170 references evaluated and won the competition’s main prize. According to the newspaper, Chryseia 2023 won the title of “Best of the Year” in the 2026 edition, also adding the distinction of Best Red Wine Blend.
A Douro that has once again stood out
The winning wine was born from a partnership between the Symington and Prats families, a project started in 1999 with the aim of promoting dry DOC Douro wines on the international market. According to the same source, the idea from the beginning was to demonstrate that the region does not live solely on Port wine.
Chryseia 2023 was produced from grapes from the Roriz and Perdiz farms, located in Cima Corgo. The publication adds that the composition includes 72% Touriga Nacional and 28% Touriga Franca, two of the grape varieties most associated with the identity of Douro wine.
Internship that marked the profile of the wine
Before reaching the market, the wine aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. According to the same source, the process was developed in the Quinta de Roriz winery, where production sought to prioritize precision and balance.
The project involved winemakers Bruno Prats, Charles Symington, Pedro Correia and Miguel Bessa. The same newspaper says that Chryseia 2023 is presented by producers as an edition marked by freshness and elegance, maintaining the profile that helped consolidate the label’s reputation over the last few decades.
Award from more than 1,000 references
The competition promoted by ViniPortugal brought together wines from various regions and categories. Among the 1,170 examples evaluated, the Chryseia ended up winning the maximum distinction granted by the jury.
According to the same source, the wine had already been accumulating high ratings and awards in national and international evaluations, a scenario that reinforced expectations surrounding the 2023 harvest.
The wine is available in specialized wineries and the price also caught the attention of many consumers after the award was announced. In a wine cellar in Porto, Chryseia 2020 is on sale for 75 euros. The producers’ recommendation involves pairing with red meat, such as pork and beef, and cured cheeses.
The name Chryseia officially emerged in 1999, when the Symington families, linked to the Douro, and Prats, associated with the Bordeaux region, decided to combine experience and production methods. The objective was to reinterpret the traditional style of Douro reds.
Since then, editions have been released continuously. According to Expresso, the project has become one of the most recognized references in the DOC Douro segment, also helping to reinforce the presence of Portuguese wines in international markets.
Importance of distinctions in the sector
Distinctions awarded in national competitions continue to have a direct impact on the demand for certain labels. In many cases, the awards act as a seal of recognition for consumers who are less familiar with specific producers or regions.
In the case of Chryseia 2023, the recognition comes in a context in which Douro wines continue to assert themselves beyond Port wine. According to the same source, the focus on elegant dry reds with an international profile continues to be part of the strategy of producers in the region.
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