Traditional Wine Landscape as a Rural Heritage:

Portuguese Verde Wine Vineyards

Abstract

Verde wine has a traditional and unique range of patterns and processes of cultivation that result from the interactions between communities and environments. The result of this interaction characterizes the local wine culture and rural landscape and creates diversity of characteristics developed through times. In this context, vineyard historical landscape assures the range of differentiation of rural places and contributes to the image of wine as a cultural asset based on the cultural heritage accumulation and the slow transformation of the landscapes. Safeguard this historical resilient landscape could reinforce the local character in his own unicity, authenticity, significance, diversity as a testimony of identity. Safeguard the historical wine landscape promotes the preservation of old techniques and fragile tangible and intangible heritage condemned to disappearance with the new standardized exploitations.

In this context, this study identifies the values of Verde wine landscape as a unique heritage in the world, aiming to safeguard this traditional landscape in the perspective of local communities with a tourism approach.

The methodological approach is to analyse, reflect and open the debate about Verde wine landscape elements and characteristics, to evaluate its importance and residents´ satisfaction, and to compare aesthetic perceptions with other elements of Verde wine landscape. Quantitative approach with survey questionnaires was applied to residents of the Verde wine region.

The results identify local wine culture and rural landscape and find the diversity of characteristics developed through times in different places. The residents find Verde wine landscape beautiful and attractive, and they are attached to the traditional Verde wine vineyards, quality of wine and quality of gastronomy.

The study reinforces the safeguard of this historical resilient landscape and the local character in his own unicity, authenticity, significance, diversity as a testimony of identity. It promotes the preservation of traditional and ancient techniques and fragile tangible and intangible heritage of Verde wine.