During these days, as part of the visit, events are being held to establish close contacts and identify specific areas of cooperation between representatives of business circles of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the EU. The business mission of the agro-food sector includes more than 40 companies from 16 EU member states.

The parties are interested in implementing investment projects in the agricultural sector and cooperation in the creation of an agro-food hub on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade in 2023 amounted to 41.4 billion US dollars.

We continue to introduce you to the participants of the EU Agro-Food Mission in Astana. One of them is Tiago Patrao - a representative of the leading Portuguese wine production "Casa Redondo", known for his contribution to the production and promotion of Portuguese wines and spirits. The company with a rich, almost century-old history, is known for its unique products. The wine regions of Portugal, such as Douro, Alentejo and Vinho Verde, are famous for their mild climate and variety of grape varieties, which makes Casa Redondo products truly unique, according to its creators.

QAZAQ CUITURE: Tiago, could you give a brief overview of your company, telling about its history?

Tiago Patrao: Of course. Casa Redondo is a family-owned company with almost a century of history. We started as a small distillery and have grown into the producers of Beirão liqueur, which is now the number one spirit brand in Portugal. Our core values include a commitment to quality, continuous innovation and a desire to promote the Portuguese experience worldwide. We are proud of our traditions and the fact that we pass them on from generation to generation. Wines from our region have higher acidity and freshness due to the altitude of about 600 meters above sea level. We also have old grape varieties, some of which are over 100 years old, which gives our wines a unique taste. We cooperate with small producers in the Portalegre region, which allows us to preserve the diversity of grape varieties and the high quality of products.

QAZAQ CUITURE: What distinguishes the quality of your products? Are there any features or standards?

Tiago Patrao: The quality of our products is determined by our commitment to excellence and innovation. We use only the best local ingredients and adhere to traditional production methods honed over generations. In particular, Beirão liqueur is known for its unique and unmistakable taste, which is the result of a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation. We also strictly control every stage of production to ensure the high quality of our products.

QAZAQ CUITURE: What are your goals and expectations in connection with participation in this high-level mission in Kazakhstan, initiated by the European Commission?

Tiago Patrao: Our participation in this high-level mission in Kazakhstan is aimed at expanding our international presence and establishing new trade partnerships. We have extensive experience in the sale and promotion of alcoholic brands and represent some of the world's most famous spirits producers, such as Remy Cointreau, Proximo, Global Spirits, Whyte & Mackay, Maison Villevert and others. We strive to increase brand awareness of Licor Beirão in Kazakhstan and the surrounding region, exploring opportunities to introduce our products to new consumers.

QAZAQ CUITURE: What potential do you see for Portuguese wines in the Kazakhstan market, and what grape varieties could become popular here?

Tiago Patrao: Portugal has a long tradition of wine production and one of the most diverse assortments of grape varieties in the world — we have more than 250 varieties. It is difficult to choose one variety, but I would note Touriga Nacional as one of the main varieties that represents our value. As for the potential of Portuguese wines in Kazakhstan, I believe that our wines have great potential for discovery. In Portugal, we have a wide range of wines from regions such as Alentejo, Douro and Vinho Verde. We, for example, are located in Alentejo, and this is a region known for its unique wines. Our family company covers both Portuguese and international markets.

QAZAQ CUITURE: What features of Portuguese wines, in your opinion, can attract the attention of Kazakh consumers?

Tiago Patrao: Portuguese wines are distinguished by their diversity. Our country is a real wine treasure, and our winemakers are alchemists who know how to use the advantages of different grape varieties to create unique wines. We produce our drinks in small factories, and for almost 100 years of our company's history, the Podengo family has been innovating and remaining true to quality. I am sure that it is this unique approach and many years of tradition that will attract the attention of Kazakh consumers.

QAZAQ CUITURE: Do you plan to hold tasting events and wine tours in Kazakhstan to introduce consumers to Portuguese wines?

Tiago Patrao: Yes, we see great potential for tasting events and wine tours in Kazakhstan. The culture of winemaking is growing here, and we want to contribute to this development by showing the diversity and quality of Portuguese wines. We plan to organize tastings and wine tours so that Kazakh consumers can personally evaluate our products and get acquainted with unique grape varieties and production methods.

QAZAQ CUITURE: How do you assess the opportunities for introducing your innovative winemaking methods in Kazakhstan? What do you know about the market of Kazakhstan and its cultural features?

Tiago Patrao: We see great potential for introducing our innovative winemaking methods in Kazakhstan. The culture of consumption here is diverse. However, we see that the new market and new consumers are more open to new products, which provides us with excellent opportunities. We are also studying cultural characteristics and preferences to adapt our products and approaches to promotion. We actively use branding tools, product demonstrations and tastings to promote our wines through various distribution channels. These methods have already proven their effectiveness, and we are confident that they will be successfully applied in Kazakhstan as well.