In the early 1700s, the signing of the Methuen Treaty between England and Portugal gave a major boost to the Port wine trade. But with rapid demand growth came speculation and fraud.
That's when the powerful Marquês de Pombal stepped in to reform the industry. As Portugal's Minister of State, Pombal took dramatic steps to impose state control, delineate the Port wine region, classify vineyards by quality, and set strict production standards.
Though controversial at the time, Pombal's actions ultimately led to a new era of growth and prosperity for Port producers and exporters. In fact, his pioneering measures laid the groundwork for today's sophisticated Port wine regulations, making him a true visionary in the history of this iconic Portuguese drink.
Discover more about how the Marquês de Pombal transformed the Port wine industry in this video! 💯"