(TDB) - President of the Portuguese Association of Wines & Spirits, Paulo Amorim, has been awarded by the French Government with the Commendation of Chevalier dans l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole.

The French accolade is designed to recognize excellence in agriculture, and has been bestowed on high-profile personalities such as Louis Pasteur and Prince Charles since it was launched in 1883.

Paulo Amorim said that the award was “a great surprise and a great honor”.

Paulo has worked in the wine industry since 1981, and is currently the executive board member of Port wine house Christie’s and president of ANCEVE, the Portuguese Association of Wines & Spirits.