On the day dedicated to Wine Tourism at the Alentejo and Ribatejo Stand at BTL, Baixo Alentejo officially submitted its candidacy for European Wine City 2026. This initiative results from a partnership between the Alentejo and Ribatejo Regional Tourism Entity, the Baixo Alentejo Intermunicipal Community, and the 13 municipalities that make up this community.

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The speeches were delivered by the presidents of the ERT and CIMBAL, José Santos and Antonio Bota, as well as the Secretary-General of CIMBAL, Fernando Romba. During the presentation, it was highlighted that Baixo Alentejo stands out for the recognized quality of its wines, many of which have won awards, along with the growing leisure activities associated with gastronomy, restaurants, and hospitality. Most importantly, in this region, wine intertwines with history, heritage, and culture, creating a strong synergy between wine, landscape, and identity, which gives it remarkable international competitiveness. The presentation concluded with the screening of the candidacy film.

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This event also marked the introduction of the ambassadors of the candidacy: Maria João Almeida, journalist and wine critic; Buba Espinho, musician; and Jorge Serafim, comedian.

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The title of European Wine City is awarded annually to a wine-producing region in one of the member countries of RECEVIN. In 2025, this distinction was granted to the Cariñena region in the Province of Zaragoza, Spain. The last Portuguese region to receive the award was the Douro in 2023.

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