Tiago Macena is the first Portuguese Master of Wine, completing his research paper on the role of Encruzado in Dão white wines. He holds a degree in Agronomic Engineering, specialising in viticulture and winemaking, from Instituto Superior de Agronomia at the University of Lisbon, together with a postgraduate qualification in Wine Business.

He is a partner and winemaker at Código Wines (Dão) and also consults for Tarelo (Pico, Azores). His work focuses on native Portuguese grape varieties.

Tiago is also a freelance wine educator for several regional wine commissions, and a member of the tasting panel of Revista de Vinhos, where he writes a bimonthly column. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade as an assistant winemaker and export manager before establishing his own independent consultancy in 2017.

Primary area(s) of work: Wine production, Trade, Communication

Industry sector(s): Business owner, Consultant, Educator, Import/Export, Viticulture, Winemaking, Winery operations

Wine styles: Fortified wines, Madeira, Orange wines, Port, Sparkling wine, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Douro, Portugal, Madeira

Market expertise: Europe, Portugal

Specialisms: Commercial advice on vinyard establishment, Cultivation of the vine, Establishment of vineyards, Factors affecting grape growing, Harvesting of grapes, Life cycle of the vine, Maladies of the vine and their control, Vine varieties, Old vines, Economics of wine production, Fermentation, Legal compliance with authorised oenological practices, Maturation and blending, Stabilisation and clarification, Processing of grapes, Production of sparkling wines, Production of fortified wines, Whole cluster fermentation, Orange wines, Blending, Bottling, Bulk shipment, Elevage / maturation, Legal compliance on authorised packaging and labelling, Preparation of finished wine for bottling, Packing and labelling, Quality assurance and control, Education, Wine judging