Historic fortified wine regions sign a pact in Spain

Institutional representatives from Porto in Portugal, Samos in Greece, Marsala in Italy, the Vins Doux Naturels region of southern France and Jerez signed a joint declaration on Sunday in Jerez de la Frontera aimed at defending the identity of historic fortified wines and strengthening cooperation among the regions that produce them.

The signing took place at the Palacio de Villavicencio during Vinoble, the international fair devoted to fine wines and fortified wines held in the Andalusian city. Officials, industry professionals and journalists attended the event, which organizers presented as a step toward giving these wines a more coordinated voice in Europe and abroad.

The document, called the Declaration of Historic Fortified Wines of Europe, recognizes wine culture as a tool for connection, dialogue and collaboration among territories. It also frames traditional fortification as both an enological technique and a living cultural heritage passed down through generations.

According to the declaration, the participating regions share a commitment to promote their centuries-old winemaking methods, the wines they produce and the cultural elements tied to them. They also pledged to work together to protect and transmit this knowledge as a means of dialogue, social cohesion and international outreach.

The signatories said the practice of fortifying wine has developed over centuries with distinct local characteristics in each region. In their view, that diversity is part of what gives these wines their value and helps explain their role in trade, identity and cultural exchange across Europe.

The agreement brings together regions long associated with fortified or naturally sweet fortified-style wines. Porto is linked to port wine; Jerez to sherry; Marsala to Sicily’s fortified wines; Samos to its sweet muscat wines; and the French Vins Doux Naturels tradition includes styles from areas such as Roussillon and the Rhône Valley.

By signing the declaration at Vinoble, the regions sought to turn a shared heritage into a more formal network of cooperation. The aim is to support joint projects, increase visibility in international forums and reinforce efforts to preserve production methods that remain central to local economies and wine tourism.

The Consejo Regulador de los Vinos de Jerez said the agreement underscores Vinoble’s role as a meeting point for producers and institutions concerned with protecting Europe’s wine heritage. The council described the event as an important milestone for collaboration among historic fortified wine regions.