In order for local hospitality professionals to better understand one of the most promising wine producing countries of the world – Portugal and its grapes varieties, wine production methods and wine styles, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) held a wine seminar: Wine Producing Countries of the World: Portugal at IFT Wine & Tea Room at 1500 on 22 May, 2013.

Renowned Wine Master João Paulo Martins was invited to be the speaker of the seminar, which attracted forty local sommeliers and food and beverage managers to participate. A variety of special wines from Portugal were selected for the tasting session, in order to allow the participants to further understand the wine characters of this promising old world wine country.

Mr. João Paulo Martins is one of the most renowned Portuguese Wine Critics. Having being a journalist and working in the wine press since 1989, he is also the editor of Revista de Vinhos - Wine Magazine and keeps an opinion column in Expresso, the most important and influential Portuguese weekly. In addition, Mr. Martins has been writing for a wine guide Wines of Portugal for 19 years, and wrote a book on the modern gastronomy in Portugal with renowned Chef Vitor Sobral. Furthermore, he runs wine tasting courses and workshops on Portuguese wines in Brazil, Angola, Macao and Belgium, as well as participates as a jury member in international wine competitions in Belgium, Brazil, South Africa, Spain and Chile.

Co-organised by ViniPortugal, the outline of the seminar includes general introduction of Portugal, climatic influences & Terroir, wine regions, grapes varieties, Portuguese wine styles, Portuguese wines & gastronomy followed by a wine tasting session.