Portuguese Wine Research Articles

Valorization of Wastes from Wine Industry in the Production of Lightweight Clay Bricks

Lightweight clay brick is an idea that arose from the need to reduce waste by giving grape pomace, a waste product from the Portuguese wine sector, a new use, promoting a circular economy. Compared to ordinary building clay bricks, lightweight clay bricks have higher porosity, and consequently lower density and lower thermal conductivity, while maintaining good mechanical strength, allowing them to be used to build the inner walls in buildings. The production process for this brick, from obtaining the raw materials to manufacturing the brick itself, was studied using process simulation and an economic analysis. The latter led to the conclusion that the project is economically viable and profitable, with each tonne of bricks selling for €57.96.

Enhancing wine industry sustainability: An empirical test of the sustainable wine assessment tool

The validation of sustainability indicators is a critical process that must be conducted at various stages of development and implementation. In this article, we evaluate the Sustainable Wine Assessment Tool, a framework designed to objectively measure sustainability performance across decision-making levels in the wine value chain. The evaluation process involves two steps. First, the framework is applied to the Portuguese wine sector to assess the indicators' accuracy and scientific quality. Second, the tool's performance is measured against recommended attributes for effective sustainability assessments. Findings suggest that this assessment framework can serve as an effective tool for sustainability monitoring and management efforts. The selected indicators demonstrated reliability, and the theoretical framework exhibits substantial strengths, making it a valuable addition to any indicator-based system. Additionally, the framework's easily interpretable results highlight its potential as an effective communication instrument, in line with the commitment to creating a scientifically robust yet user-friendly tool. This study presents a practical approach to evaluating sustainability indicators using empirical data from scientific research. This method has proven highly effective, particularly in contexts with limited data and where direct comparisons are challenging. It ensures both contextually relevant assessments and robust evaluations of the indicators' accuracy.

The Mansion at Mouzinho da Silveira Street, in Lisbon, Portugal

The present article is about the history of a house, more precisely the Mansion at no. 5, Mouzinho da Silveira Street, Lisbon (Portugal), which was once the residence of Amélia Leite Ferreira, a wealthy lady from the upper bourgeoisie. The house was constructed at the end of the nineteenth century, in the Barata Salgueiro Neighborhood, a place that was at that time being urbanized. It was designed in a late nineteenth century eclectic style, but was modified over time, mainly in the interior, to be repurposed as headquarters of the Portuguese Wine and Vineyard Institute. Besides trying to know who Amelia Leite Ferreira was, the questions that we wish to address in this article are precisely how is this building a significant example of the small palaces or mansions that were erected for the bourgeoisie in the newly urbanized areas of Lisbon? Being a house of a rich widow woman, does this have influence in the architecture of the house and its interior decoration? Is this mansion style typical of Portuguese and Lisbon architecture or does this typology can be found in other cities in the same period? Finally, how did the occupation by a public institution affected its architecture? As we will see, this house architecture is mainly typical of the Belle Époque, but the influence of the owner was important for its design, furniture, and decoration. We will also realize that, even though the house is still very similar to its original construction, the transformation from a residence to an institution had impact, especially in its internal structure.

I assert ownership of it: repatronage intentions in wine tourism

ABSTRACT The current research aims to examine (1) the influence of psychological ownership on fostering commitment, (2) the influence of commitment in predicting repatronage intentions, and (3) the effect of quality of alternatives on the relationship between commitment and repatronage intentions in the context of wine tourism. Data collected from 574 Spanish and Portuguese wine tourists were analysed using a partial least squares method. Findings show that investment of self and intimate knowledge positively and directly affects psychological ownership and indirectly affects commitment towards the winery. The quality of alternatives was found to moderate and weaken the relationship between commitment and repatronage intentions. Winery managers are advised to develop emotional commitment with tourists and continuously monitor competitive services.

Assessing the usability and value of a climate service in the wine sector

Climate change can significantly affect and influence, both positively and negatively, the wine sector. In this context, the adoption of timely, cost-effective adaptation strategies may contribute to reduce such risks, maximise opportunities, and enhancing the sector’s resilience to changing climatic conditions. Climate services involve the production and use of climate information to support decision-makers adapting to climate variability and change. Assessing the value and benefits of using climate services constitutes a critical area of research and can help climate service providers identify any barriers in their development, uptake, and use. The climate service developed in this research benefitted from a co-production approach with a Portuguese Wine company − SOGRAPE. In this paper, we aim to assess the usability and value of the climate service co-developed with SOGRAPE and identify possible barriers that limited the tool’s usability and value. Engagement with SOGRAPE users was pursued based on mixed methods approach throughout the various stages of co-development and testing of the tool. The results show that the data provided in the Dashboard was perceived as reliable and legitimate. However, the saliency of the Dashboard was questioned, and some recommendations proposed to increase its saliency and overall usability. More importantly, SOGRAPE users were not able to use the climate information provided in the tool due to a number of barriers which are also reported in this study. The findings and recommendations from this study will help inform the design, development and usability of other climate services within and beyond the wine sector.

Operations Outside the Scope of Value Added Tax: A Possible Analysis of the Portuguese Wine Sector

Objective: The study aims to analyse and clarify the VAT framework in participation association contracts, distinguishing between contractual and tax obligations. Method: It includes a case study and a detailed analysis of partnership contracts, case law, and tax doctrine. The data was interpreted in light of the relevant tax laws, distinguishing between contractual and tax obligations in order to determine the VAT framework. Results and conclusions: The results show that the liabilities borne by the associate (Entity B) should be considered supplies of services subject to VAT. The contribution of the associate (Entity B) is not subject to tax. These distinctions allow for a correct application of tax law. The conclusions reveal the possible readings of the application of VAT. Implications if the research: Research is important to ensure the correct application of tax law in partnership agreements. This analysis can help promote the correct application of VAT and more efficient financial management for both parties involved. It provides relevant insights for academia, society, and policymakers. Originality/value: It is the result of detailed observation of the VAT framework in association in participation contracts, providing possible insights in order to avoid possible tax uncertainties and ensure the correct reading of the tax law in more complex commercial transactions.

Potential market failures in the Portuguese wine industry

The wine industry is characterized by a monopolistic competition market structure, with high product differentiation. In this study, based on the predictions of microeconomic theory as applied to market equilibrium and market failure, the statistical data on production, trade and domestic consumption, as well as the governance model adopted, were analyzed. The main goal was to examine potential market failures in the Portuguese wine industry, concentrating mainly on those related to information asymmetry and transaction costs. The analysis shows that while Portugal constitutes a significant source of low-priced wines, both for its home consumers as well as for those abroad, most wines lack reputation and therefore have little potential to transfer value to upstream economic agents, and almost no possibility of increasing consumers’ willingness to pay. Though there is detailed information on production, exports and trade, limited information exists on domestic consumption. Given the small dimension of some wine regions, the governance model adopted does not benefit from scale economies and requires higher transaction costs.

Analysis of the Profit Model of the Portuguese Wine Business

Analysis of the Profit Model of the Portuguese Wine Business

Fractional responses with spatial dependence of Portuguese wineries’ domestic market sales to an exogenous shock (Covid-19)

This paper uses firm-level data to investigate the resilience of the Portuguese wine sector’s domestic market in the aftermath of the exogenous shock arising from Covid-19. To address this objective, this article applies a fractional response model. The results allow us to confirm that the impact of the pandemic crisis depends on firm structure and behaviour reflected by variables such as firm size, age, export intensity, market channel as well as on the geographic location of firms. This suggests the need for the development of innovative regional clusters and calls for managers and policymakers to consider the heterogeneity of wineries and dissimilar effects of contingency measures at the municipal level during an exogenous shock.

Obtaining Value from Wine Wastes: Paving the Way for Sustainable Development

Winemaking is one of the main Portuguese industries and has significantly grown in recent years, thus increasing the quantity of obtained residues. These wastes have a complex chemical composition and structure, and, for this reason, their treatment and valorisation are simultaneously a challenge and an opportunity. After an overview of the wine industry and its wastes, this article intends to review the different solid winemaking wastes, highlighting their chemical composition and structural characteristics, as well as their main potential applications. These wastes, such as grape stalks, can be directly applied as a source of bioenergy in the form of pellets or subjected to chemical/biological processing, resulting in valuable food additives, materials, or chemicals. Grape seeds provide food grade oil with potential biomedical applications. Grape skins are a promising source of biologically active substances. The sugar fraction of grape pomace can be biologically converted to a wide variety of bioproducts, like bioethanol, biogas, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and bacterial cellulose. The integration of the different processes into a biorefinery is also discussed, considering the characteristics of the Portuguese wine industry and pointing out solutions to valorise their wastes.

Trademarks and Denomination of Origin in Portuguese Wine Sector (1918-1924)

In the Portuguese wine sector there was a strong adhesion of companies, producers and traders to the registration of trade marks since the modern commercial brands emerged after the creation of the legal framework for their protection, at the end of the 19th century. We also must consider the existence of different regions of production, from north to south of the country, and the historical process of recognition of the different denomination of origin, which occurred since the beginning of the 20th century, in a context of post-phylloxera reconversion, market instability and the proliferation of imitations and counterfeits. Because wine sector was strategic in the Portuguese economy, in this article we will analyze the marks of different companies, traders and producers representative of various Portuguese wine regions, between 1918 and 1924 from the Trademark Registration in the Boletim de Propriedade Industrial (Industrial Property Bulletin). The aim is to understand the relationship between trademarks and appellations of origin, to understand if there was the growth of the different terroirs and their types of wines, and to identify, on a semiotic basis, representative and identifying elements of the indication of provenance, used in countless brands. Keywords: Portuguese wine regions, brands, trademarks, labels, semiotics

Family-friendly wine tourism? A debate with evidence from three Portuguese wine routes

Abstract Although wine tourism is predominantly described as an activity practised by middle-aged adults who travel without children to experience, learn about and buy wines, it has been considered to attract unexpected markets, such as families with children, mainly in rural destinations where wine and grape production occur in a particular natural, cultural and social context. However, research on families with children undertaking wine tourism is scarce and little is known about the features and heterogeneity of this market. This study analyses, through a survey research, visitors travelling as a family with children on three Portuguese wine routes (n=370), regarding general profile, travel motivation, attractions visited, satisfaction and loyalty. Results suggest two profiles of family visitors to Central Portugal wine routes: those focused on wine-related attractions and activities and those more interested in having fun and socialising in a wine region, enjoying its landscapes, culture and rural life. In our sample, the first group is almost totally composed of domestic visitors, accompanied mainly by children under 10 years. The second group includes some international visitors, and a higher presence of ‘older’ children and adolescents. Family visitors focused on wine attractions tend to indicate more suggestions for route improvement, primarily related to the availability of varied wine tourism experiences, including child-friendly activities.

Knowledge Management and Interorganizational Networks of the Wine Industry

Interorganizational networks have stood out in the agribusiness sector as arrangements in which people collaborate and cooperate to obtain external knowledge resources, and to drive innovation and sustainability. Therefore, knowledge management (KM), through its practices and processes, assists in the creation and sharing of knowledge collaboratively among network participants. The present study aims to analyze the knowledge processes adopted in interorganizational networks of the Portuguese wine supply chain. The research is applied in nature and adopts a qualitative approach through a descriptive exploratory study. The multiple case study method was used, carried out in three wine networks in the wine regions of Tagus and Alentejo in Portugal. Field data were collected using the interview technique, supported by a semi-structured script. The results indicate that the companies participating in the networks have common goals: to access external knowledge resources, reach international markets, develop product innovations, and create sustainable brands. However, the findings also allow us to consider that access to knowledge resources depends on the capacity of each company in the network. Thus, the mere formation of networks does not guarantee that the dissemination of knowledge will occur.

A multi-objective simulation-based decision support tool for wine supply chain design and risk management under sustainability goals

Sustainable Supply Chain Network Design (SCND) poses a complex challenge, as it often requires trade-offs in decision-making. The problem becomes even more challenging when there is a need to integrate risk management into the design process. It is steered by this challenge that the purpose of the paper is twofold. First, it proposes a Simulation-Based Decision Support System (SBDSS) for a real case study of a Portuguese wine SCND problem. Second, it analyzes different wine Supply Chain (SC) configurations under risk situations and sustainability objectives. The main contributions of this research are as follows. First, it concerns the method that was employed, which, contrarily to traditional approaches in literature (e.g., stochastic or genetic programming), consists of a simulation approach, in which agents and their interactions in an environment with uncertainty are modeled. Second, for the generation of non-dominated solutions, a simheuristic was employed, which combines multi-objective optimization with simulation. Finally, the type of industry that was considered, due to the lack of cases focusing on it in literature. The results suggest that the proposed approach determines a set of Pareto-front solutions that consider the sustainability dimensions of SCND, as well as risk situations. Furthermore, the implications that several parameters have on the sustainability of the designed SCs were assessed, as well as the impacts that the considered risks have on the performance of SCs. In particular, it was found that transportation risks impacted considerably more the performance of the SC than the risks on the prices of energy and raw materials.

Biocontrol potential of wine yeasts against four grape phytopathogenic fungi disclosed by time-course monitoring of inhibitory activities.

Grapes' infection by phytopathogenic fungi may often lead to rot and impair the quality and safety of the final product. Due to the concerns associated with the extensive use of chemicals to control these fungi, including their toxicity for environment and human health, bio-based products are being highly preferred, as eco-friendlier and safer alternatives. Specifically, yeasts have shown to possess antagonistic activity against fungi, being promising for the formulation of new biocontrol products.In this work 397 wine yeasts, isolated from Portuguese wine regions, were studied for their biocontrol potential against common grapes phytopathogenic fungal genera: Aspergillus, Botrytis, Mucor and Penicillium. This set comprised strains affiliated to 32 species distributed among 20 genera. Time-course monitoring of mold growth was performed to assess the inhibitory activity resulting from either diffusible or volatile compounds produced by each yeast strain. All yeasts displayed antagonistic activity against at least one of the mold targets. Mucor was the most affected being strongly inhibited by 68% of the tested strains, followed by Botrytis (20%), Aspergillus (19%) and Penicillium (7%). More notably, the approach used allowed the detection of a wide array of yeast-induced mold response profiles encompassing, besides the decrease of mold growth, the inhibition or delay of spore germination and the complete arrest of mycelial extension, and even its stimulation at different phases. Each factor considered (taxonomic affiliation, mode of action and fungal target) as well as their interactions significantly affected the antagonistic activity of the yeast isolates. The highest inhibitions were mediated by volatile compounds. Total inhibition of Penicillium was achieved by a strain of Metschnikowia pulcherrima, while the best performing yeasts against Mucor, Aspergillus and Botrytis, belong to Lachancea thermotolerans, Hanseniaspora uvarum and Starmerella bacillaris, respectively. Notwithstanding the wide diversity of yeasts tested, only three strains were found to possess a broad spectrum of antagonistic activity, displaying strong or very strong inhibition against the four fungal targets tested. Our results confirm the potential of wine yeasts as biocontrol agents, while highlighting the need for the establishment of fit-for-purpose selection programs depending on the mold target, the timing, and the mode of application.

Impact of an exogenous shock (COVID-19) on the performance of Portuguese wine firms: a structural break analysis

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic crisis was responsible for disruptions in most industries worldwide, being the wine industry a good example of how changes in the economic and social environment impacted firm performance. This research investigates whether such impacts represent a structural change to firms’ profitability and explore the internal sources of such change. We consider firm-level data from Portuguese wineries, from 2014 to 2020 and apply a series of structural break tests to the period. The results allow us to conclude that the entire profitability function suffered significant changes, being COVID-19 indeed a game-breaker for wineries’ profitability.

Exposure of Portuguese viticulture to weather extremes under climate change

Grape berry quality and yield are notably influenced by complex multi-scale interactions between grapevines and local environmental conditions. In established wine-growing regions, bestowing to local climatic conditions, yield and quality are mostly optimized, planting the best wine variety and applying specific cultural practices. Thus, the sustainability of the winemaking sector worldwide is being challenged by ongoing climate change, requiring adaptation at different levels. Climate change will inflict progressively dry and warm conditions on Portuguese vineyards, with changes in frequency and intensity of weather extremes. However, the future projections of these extreme events and their potential impacts on viticulture are less understood. For this purpose, in this study, seventeen climate extreme indices were calculated for the Portuguese wine denomination of origin regions/subregions, in the historical period (1981–2010) and future periods (2041–2070 and 2071–2100), under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, and based on a five-member ensemble of Regional Climate Model-Global Climate Model chain simulations. Furthermore, a principal component analysis was undertaken for both precipitation and temperature extreme indices independently. We found an increase in temperature extremes in all wine regions in Portugal, particularly in the westernmost regions. Regarding the precipitation extremes, they reveal a lessening effect for future periods, accompanied by a generalized decrease of precipitation, but will remain an important threat in the northeastern regions. Conversely, the dry extremes, potentiating severe droughts, will be significantly strengthened. Lastly, it was possible to identify the most exposed and vulnerable wine regions to weather extremes in future climates. This information is critical for supporting decision-making in the sector, namely for long-term planning, climate change adaptation and risk reduction. Practical ImplicationsIn the winemaking sector, resorting to climate information is an effective way of mitigating climate-related risks to attain specific terroirs. To effectively deliver this information to winemakers, climatic vulnerability needs to be identified regionally, in order to promote suitable and locally adjusted measures and policies. In this study, Wine Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) in Portugal are the key target of the climate (temperature and precipitation) extreme variability between present and future periods. The results provided and synthesized in this study should be able to inform winemakers by identifying potential areas of risk concerning the ongoing climate change and acting accordingly based on the potential occurrence of these climate extremes in each PDO area. Furthermore, some short-term and long-term strategies are presented to mitigate the general increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation.

How diverse are residents’ perceptions of wine tourism impacts in three Portuguese wine routes? The role of involvement with tourism, wine production and destination life-cycle stage

Purpose Wine tourism has been growing considerably over the past decades. The literature highlights its relevance in the social, economic and cultural development of the regions where wine routes are located. However, few studies examine residents’ tourism impact perceptions and even fewer analyse the diversity of these perceptions. This study aims to fill this gap, examining this diversity according to the life-cycle stage of the wine route and residents’ involvement with wine and with tourism activities. Design/methodology/approach Data obtained from a questionnaire-based survey (N = 882) of residents from three wine routes of the Central Region of Portugal – Bairrada, Dão and Beira Interior – were used, with dimensions of perceived impacts tested for internal consistency via Cronbach’s α. T-tests and ANOVA tests were used to compare residents’ perceptions of wine tourism impacts according to the life-cycle stage of the wine route and residents’ involvement with wine and with tourism activities. Findings Generally, residents perceived that wine tourism generates more benefits than costs, with positive economic and socio cultural impacts standing out, while negative environmental and social impacts were perceived less. Some differences are observed according to the life-cycle stage of the wine route, with both the most and the least developed routes presenting more pronounced both positive and negative impact impressions in diverse dimensions. Also, a moderating effect (however not as pronounced) of working in tourism and (even less visible) of working in the wine sector is observed. Possible explanations of these findings and implications on wine route development are discussed. Originality/value This article analyses a subject of great relevance for the sustainable development of wine tourism destinations that has been little studied in the literature. Thus, relevant theoretical and empirical contributions are identified.

Sustainability assessment: Testing and validating a hierarchical framework in the Portuguese wine sector context

Wine-grape growing is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts for deeply relying on weather conditions. Considering the notable shortage of multidimensional instruments designed specifically to assess sustainability of winegrowing systems, a three-tier hierarchical framework has been developed. This work presents an initial testing of the theoretical framework´s assessment approach, and its capacity to take the context in which the evaluation is taking place into account. For such, after the presentation of general assumptions of the framework, figurative cases of the Portuguese wine industry were evaluated regarding one of the 27 themes of the assessment tool. The theme here tested and presented (theme water use and wastewater) is composed by three sub-themes, with three indicators each. At the end, nine indicators covering from the water footprint, to the wastewater management or local water availability were measured and evaluated. Information gathered and used for this work was based on literature and official sources involved in collecting and elaborating water related data. Results of this initial validation were promising and showed that structured and hierarchical design approaches may be a functional way to holistically assess the sustainability performance of complex production sectors such as the wine industry.

Avaliação de desempenho em sustentabilidade: análise da perceção do sector vitivinícola em Portugal

Abstract Sustainability assessment is a very subjective and complex procedure. However, whether to cope with climate change, market pressures or new environmental policies, winegrowers are today looking for ways to improve and measure their performance. Nevertheless, there is still a great demand of more information and better evaluation methodologies as most of general assessment frameworks are environmentally focused, non-context-comprehensive or even unfit to evaluate permanent crops such as viticulture. To consider context-comprehensiveness is therefore seen as fundamental in research of this nature. Our objective is to explore nationwide perceptions of upper echelon individuals from the Portuguese wine industry regarding sustainability issues and better ways to assess it. By covering nine of the 14 wine regions in Portugal, the aim is to spot intercultural trends and get a wider picture of the sector´s sustainability awareness. A grounded theory approach was used for the complexity of the topic and for allowing to uncover potential perspective-paradoxes or trade-offs. After collecting data through in-depth interviews, an inductive qualitative-content analysis was applied using IRAMUTEQ software. Results displayed key criteria and insights grouped in four clusters from three distinct ramifications. Beyond the mention of critical factors about the sector´s environmental impacts from the production to packaging phase, distribution and transportation, concerns regarding intergenerational equity gap and non-equitable development opportunities for rural areas were also gathered. One ramification was based on the need to have access to proper sustainability assessment tools. From the urgency to develop a sustainability framework or even certification scheme for increasing consumer demands and export market pressures, to the importance to provide a practical toolkit with lifecycle guidelines, user-friendly and able to support decision-making, two clusters were created. This study reported findings can serve as a reference to wine managers and policy-makers pursuing sustainable development goals.