For The Love Of Port

Dear Derek .....and here it is! The use of this very sweet wine was traditional for centuries. Although sometimes abused in the past when added to dry wines with the objective of having them classified as Port, jeropiga is not an adulteration. It is natural grape must which has virtually no fermenta...

May I ask why no mags in these two vintages? You do realize Julian Wiseman will now be stocking you until you do [help.gif] thanks Andy, As you know, the bottling peiod for Vintage is between the 2nd and 3rd year - and all the 2007 is already bottled! So I can't help Julian on this one! all best Ge...

Roy, Its Monday morning in Porto (:30h), and this great on line get together is coming to an end. I hope I got to everyone’s questions : I owe Derek and answer on JEROPIGA which I will send (or post if still open) later today, after confirming the regulation (which I couldn’t find on my computer!). ...

Roy, The renaissance of Douro wines is a natural process, influenced by the restructuring of vineyards, increase in modern winemaking technology and methods and the increased interest by wine writers and consumers. It has taken us back to before the demarcation, to what the Douro was known for befor...

Dear Frederick There is a lot of “buzz” about Touriga Nacional, which is natural when people try and simplify the wide range of grape varieties into a couple of memorable names. There is no doubt that it is a variety which contributes greatly to classic Vintage Port as well as a number of Douro wine...

Dear Symon B

Thanks for your kind comments and good luck on finding both the ’50 and ’45 Sandeman.

Sandeman bottled Magnums in most Vintages, usually a small quantity of 1200 to 1800 bottles of 1.5L.

In 2003 and 2007 we didn’t bottle magnums.

All best
George

Dear Roy! What a question! First to your comment “Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port” : the wine business, and most definitely the Port business was founded and grew on being profitable. Money has always been the driver. The reason that the English found...

Hi Symon B I would think it was the Sandeman 1950 which was a great wine, and still showing quite well when I last tasted it (about 5 years ago). The Sandeman 1912, which I have only tasted on two occasions (in 1990 at the Sandeman Bicentenary tasting held at the Four Seasons in New York, and in 200...

Dear Derek Well, I don’t think there is ever any danger of the Douro becoming the Costa del Sol! It is still an “adventure and discovery” destination. Although there has been an improvement in the hotel space, and in a more limited sense the restaurant quality, there is still a lot of potential to i...

Dear Frederick, “Completely uprooted” is overstatement. In fact it was a quite large and visible segment above the winery which was being replanted at the time as part of a general upgrading project. Sogrape Vinhos does this on a regular basis as part of the investment we have in our vineyards, alwa...

Andy Keep on taking the 20 Year Old! There is a clear stylistic difference between the Sandeman and Ferreira 20 year Olds – diversity is the spice of life! Ferriera is not bottling any older wines, but does have some old Coheitas which are released now and then. I am not certain if there are specifi...

Dear Glenn, After searching through my badly filed files (!) , I finally found the information I was looking for to respond to your question “how many grapes are authorized for Port production”: Here is the most current information, so current that it is pending publication as law as it was only app...

Ronald, It comes down to two parallel approaches; one is the need to introduce Port to new consumers and the second is to introduce new ways to drink Port to current Port drinkers. In the case of the first group new products like “rosé” Port is offered by some companies as an enticement to look at P...

Dear Pete, I know Nimrod, but to be frank haven’t tasted it for years. I recall it as being a 10 year old in style with quite evolved fruit. The 10 year olds available on the market are more fruit driven than years ago, possibly due to the popular demand. We maintain three distinct styles of Tawnies...

Dear Derek Very tempting! A blank page and complete power ignore the EU Laws and have whatever I want (need?) But can I also ignore the history, the people, and the environment? A real blank page? If so; Maybe a “flatter” Douro growing region, rolling hills with cold wet winters, dry warm spring, a ...

Dear Derek (and Alex by proxy) I just hope nobody reads the things that I have written! Alex: Why don't we see Sogrape wines in the UK these days, despite the fact we are great fans of Ferreira, Sandeman and Offley? The UK is a tough tough tough market and always has been, Sogrape Vinhos has wines t...

Dear Tom D I am familiar with the Offley Boa Vista Vintages, albeit have not tasted through them recently. The 1962, 1963, 1977 where made when Offley and Sandeman were associated and working together, the 1985 and 1987 were both made by good winemakers. I have them as good solid Vintage Ports, base...

Dear Frederick, Both Ferreira and Offley are historic companies and curiously associated with Sandeman history. George Sandeman (the Founder) was a very good friend of James Forrester (uncle of Joseph James) and started out by representing his wines in the North of England and boarder lands of Scotl...

Dear Andy As promised here is some information on the 1958 harvest 1958 Harvest Report The first half of March was dry and sunny, but was then followed by gales and rain. April was cold; and then the weather was fairly standard for that time of year, until June - hot and with the highest rainfall ex...

Dear John M There are few people who make crusted Port and considering the number of good Vintage Ports that are available .....and the great prices at which you can aquire them.......I am not clear where the market for these wines is. Maybe being a blend of more than one year creates some flexibili...