AICEP Portuguese Global Trade and Investment has announced that its third annual Portuguese Wine Fair will be taking place on Monday 7 October 2024.
The aim of the fair is to support Portuguese producers already represented in the Irish market, with companies such as Febvre & Co., Grace Campbell Wines, Liberty Wines (Ireland), Mackenway Distributors, and Vinos Tinto among those participating.
Portugal’s two main strengths as a European wine producing country are the diversity of its wine styles and its wealth of native grape varieties, which are impressive despite the small size of the country.
Taking place in Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer Street in Dublin, the day will begin with an hour-long masterclass at 11am, followed by the Wine Fair kicking off at noon and concluding at 5pm.
Masterclass
The former president of ViniPortugal, Vasco d’Avillez, will present the masterclass.
Originally from the Lisbon suburb of Cascais, d’Avillez has lived in California, Toronto, London, Paris and Turin throughout his long career.
In 1990, he became the director and board member at the Symington, Port and Madeira Shippers Group before moving to J.M. da Fonseca, where he was general director of the company.
In June 2000, he was elected as president of ViniPortugal, the generic body responsible for promoting Portuguese wines on the global market.
D’Avillez served three terms as president before taking over as president of the Lisboa Wine Region.
He retired a number of years ago, but still travels the world promoting Portuguese wines.
Irish Connections
D’Avillez has an interesting Irish connection as a member of the House of O’Neill.
The house included Monarchs of Ireland, Kings of Ulster and Ardrí na hÉireann (High Kings of Ireland) during medieval times, holding territories in the province of Ulster, in Antrim, Derry and Tyrone.
During the reign of Elizabeth I, Hugh O’Neill lead a confederacy of Irish clans against the English crown and in 1607 he fled to Europe in the Flight of the Earls.
The current head of the clan, Hugh Ricciardi O’Neill (born 1939), lives in Quinta das Machadas in São Julião, Setúbal and serves as chairman of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftans.
Ricciardi O’Neill is d’Avillez’s first cousin.
The event will take place on Monday 7 October at Fallon & Byrne, 11-17 Exchequer Street, Dublin D02 RY63.
