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Zona Demarcada
By Carlos ArtigoPorto & Norte
The Portuguese concept of geographically delimited wine production, a world pioneer since 1756 in the Douro.
Portugal pioneered wine region demarcation when the Marquês de Pombal created the Douro Demarcated Region in 1756. This act established geographic boundaries, production rules, and quality standards decades before any other European region.
The concept evolved into the current DOC system protecting 31 Portuguese wine regions. Demarcation is simultaneously protection and valorisation, guaranteeing authenticity for consumers and defending producers against imitation.
