Paul Symington, on the record

[Roy Hersh]

Paul provides insight into the controversial topic of the cost of production vs. pricing of wines/Ports from Douro. This may not be new, but there are some very specific details mentioned which make this an excellent read. http://www.harpers.co.uk/wine/european- ... 53.article

Would appreciate your point of view about the sustainability and pricing and regulatory restrictions ...

[Andy Velebil]

As we've talked about here before, Douro wines are basically being subsidized by Port grapes. The Douro Valley is the most expensive area to grow grapes, yet some Douro wines sell for less than $10 retail. How does one make money? Sell more Port grapes to pay for the table wine grapes. The issue now is, there is so much Douro wine being made by everyone the ship is starting to take on water. The laws are outdated, every producer will tell you that. But most don't want to make a stand publicly to fight the IVDP (a government agency). I hate to say this, but maybe it's time for a small producer/grower revolution.

[Roy Hersh]

Andy, I don't know about it being a revolution, but don't you think that is already well underway?

Did you read all of the comments in the last: A Question for the Port Trade? Big and small companies alike were calling for new regulations, mentioning how out of date things are with beneficio and the ability of new producers of Port to legally get on board. So clearly this is on the minds of most. I had a very interesting meeting with the President of the IVDP and one of the topics was exactly this one. Not meant for this Forum though.

[Andy Velebil]

Andy, I don't know about it being a revolution, but don't you think that is already well underway?

Did you read all of the comments in the last: A Question for the Port Trade? Big and small companies alike were calling for new regulations, mentioning how out of date things are with beneficio and the ability of new producers of Port to legally get on board. So clearly this is on the minds of most. I had a very interesting meeting with the President of the IVDP and one of the topics was exactly this one. Not meant for this Forum though.

Yes I did read it. But talk among each other and with journalists is just that, talk. How many are you seeing doing anything but idle talking? For as long as I've been going to the Douro every producer has said the same thing....we need to change the beneficio. Yet has anyone banded together to do anything more than talk? An outsider, who firmly pointed out to the IVDP that they were violating EU law, was the one who had to force the IVDP to change something as simple as selling larger bottle sizes. As no producer wanted to challenge the IVDP themselves. Lets be honest here, the IVDP is like a lot of government agencies, it doesn't want change unless they are forced to and it doesn't like being told they need to change. So until a large group assembles to challenge them directly, forcing a change, nothing will change.

If you feel I'm wrong, please let me know with facts other than "this is on the minds of most."