For The Love Of Port

Today is Richard's last day and I would like to thank him for an amazing week of Q&A without "playing it safe" and providing us with some extraordinary answers to some very difficult and controversial questions. [notworthy.gif] I hope that on occasion Richard will come back to visit :...

But is cocktailing a way to go for Port Wine? Should we spend more time and money promoting it and trying to bring red Port to this game? Sorry, I am not Richard, but had to comment on this... I sure it is not [beg.gif] Port cocktails are certainly a nice feather in the cap of how port can be enjoy...

Dear Richard, Good to know you had talked about our Rose Port. If you don't have yet opportunity to taste it, please come to our winery and we share a glass of it! The high temperatures we have now in the Douro ask for something chilled! Regarding the question of education, some years ago the IVDP a...

Underrated producers: Poças have been producing some very good vintage Port in recent years, Gould Campbell 2007 came top in a blind tasting recently and is very reasonably priced, likewise Smith Woodhouse. Calem have produced some excellent wines in the past. But I can't think of one shipper that ...

Dear Richard, First of all: Great to have you here! My questions: Will there ever be a hype on Port like on top notch Bordeaux? If not, why not? Do you think that global heating will cause serious problems in medium term on producing top notch Port? Which producers of Port are at present the most u...

Richard, I must commend you on your excellent and balanced op/ed piece on the Beneficio Rights, something I have spent a great deal of time researching, but this is not the venue for that discussion between us. I look forward to drinking some fine Port together again and having a great conversation...

Dear Richard, Hello and welcome! In the most recent edition of "The World of Fine Wine," your short bio in the beginning of the magazine stated you are working on a book about Madeira. Any idea when it would be published and any previews? Thank you. Dear Eric, Thank you for the welcome. M...

Dear Richard, In the last newsletter there was a very insightful article with responses from several producers about the roll of topping off Colheita's and how it is done, while they are still in barrel. The responses were quite varied in what methods were used. Some used the same vintage, some use...

Dear Richard, Thanks so much for your reaction and insights [cheers.gif] ! As it turns out, I have had some luck in choosing my 2005 VP's, since this was actually my first step in buying a large number of bottles (on release) of Vp, which turned me from a mere port (and wine) enthousiast to somethin...

In answer to those questions about the regulation of Port and the benefício I am posting an editorial that I wrote for a publication called the Wine Report in 2008. It is in response to a number of attacks on the beneficio from senior member of the Port trade. I am sure it will bring up some more qu...

Richard, Thanks for taking the time to do this, it is very much appreciated [notworthy.gif] There is a thread HERE that asked a great question. The question was, Is the Port industry over regulated? I am curious to get your take on this question. Yes Andy it is. It is not just the Port industry but...

Dear Richard Mayson, After several years reading your books I have just confirmed while reading most of your answers the distinction that I have conferred upon you. I still keep in my mind the experience that it was reading the "Porto e o Douro" - my lifetime "Port book" as an a...

I have been observing and [1974_eating_popcorn.gif] on the sidelines and enjoying every minute of the great questions which have arisen and of course, Mr. Mayson's brilliant responses. I can't think of anyone better to have as our inaugural Guest of Honor! [notworthy.gif] Now if I can please "...

Dear Richard Mayson, I'm very pleased to have your here answering our questions about Port Wine. I would like to know your opinion about the current trend of block planting we have in the Douro and how it can affect the quality of Port Wine. Thank you very much for your time! Dear Oscar, Thanks for...

Thank you for your answer. This place is turning into a real success! For my next question, I'd like to hear about the beneficio. Do you think it should stay the same or be modified? I've heard there is a lot of pressure from both side. Some wants to keep an easy revenue and their price of the land...

Richard, thank-you for joining us here for a little while, and for all your insights thus far. Above you wrote: 2007 ... It is very much a 'Symington vintage' with great wines from Dow, Graham and Warre, albeit in different house styles. Are you suggesting that for 2007 these labels are different f...

Richard, As a follow-up to my previous question - do you foresee a growth in the number of Single Vineyard wines in the marketplace (in particular those aimed at the top end of the pricing spectrum). Of course Noval's Nacional has set the benchmark, but Taylor's Vinha Velha has established a foot h...

Dear Richard, It is a true pleasure to read your posts and to share just a little in your wealth of knowledge and experience regarding Port wines. My question is simple. In addition to the 1963 Quinta do Noval Nacional, which are your other favorite Noval Nacionals in the post-1963 period? Ted Dear...

Richard, Thanks for your "ramblings" which give a great first hand insight into the conditions in Portugal in recent decades. Here is my next question: Do you have any plans to stick around on :ftlop: and become a regular poster after this week of intense questioning? The reason for my qu...

Caro Rui, Agredeço as suas perguntas: I will reply in English to each one as follows: - Excepting Quinta do Noval where can we find other filoxera vineyards at Douro Valley? Noval is unique in having an ungrafted vineyard. Croft tried it once (in the late 1980s) but nothing came of it. There must be...