Decree-Law No. 7/2019 amending Decree-Law No. 173/2009 on the Statute governing the Designation of Origin (DO) and Geographical Indication (GI) of the Douro Region (RDD).

This Decree-Law amends Decree-Law No. 173/2009 on the Statute governing the Designation of Origin (DO) and Geographical Indication (GI) of the Douro Region (RDD). Amendments establish that irrigation of the vineyard is permitted only to prevent water scarcity which may lead to imbalances in the composition and quality of the grapes and to impair the normal physiological development of the vine, provided that: a) the vineyard is in a region in which the IVDP, I.P., has authorized the irrigation and subject to compliance with the requirements established; or b) the winegrower informs the IVDP, I.P., in reserved area. Port wine has an actual alcoholic volume of 19% vol. and 22% vol. Port wine with the traditional names of tawny, ruby, white or white and rosé not included in the special categories of Port wine may have a minimum of 18% vol. The slightly light white Port wine may have a minimum of 16,5% vol. Possessing and maintaining a permanent existence in an amount not inferior to that fixed by ordinance of the member of the Government responsible for the area of agriculture.