For The Love Of Port

I'll start by saying, Barbeito is one of my favorite producers on the island...

BUT, in the last few years I've seen more and more 500ml bottling's vs. 750ml (some at 750ml prices). I understand fully, crop cycles, yields, supply/demand, poor weather vs. fortunate, etc. Nonetheless, the 500ml bottling's are a real purchase deterrent. With madeira prices already on the rise, this volume concession is hard to swallow.

Not a fan of it either and even less of a fan when an online or web offer selling such bottles does not mention the size... I mean it's not like Madeira is going to spoil any time soon once the bottle is opened.

The reason is that some of the releases are tiny, a few thousand liters. My using the 500 ml bottles, they can release more of them. I think because of increasing demand, they have to spread it around more. You do know that half of Barbeito is Japanese owned and they take a large percentage for their market.

Definitely understand the dynamic here, just saying the 500ml is a real purchase deterrent. Madeira disappears too fast already in my home! I suspect like any business they'll look at sell-through information and make their own determination if this was a good move. Every bottle but three in my madeira stock is Barbeito (750ml) I should point out.

Daniel Fraley wrote: Madeira disappears too fast already in my home!

Ain't that the truth! When I score a deal, I go for a case. A good 10 year (750 ml) for $25-30 is bar.

Eric made solid points about the ownership as well as the fact that Barbeito has limited quantities and it is much better for them to be able to reach a wide variety of markets, than have to limit allocations due to the increased (750 ml) sizes.

You don't see the Frasqueira in 500 ml for the most part, it is the less expensive blends. They are less expensive, more approachable as daily sippers etc. Barbeito is quite an innovator and Ricardo is a great businessman, winemaker and collaborator. I believe he and Chris Blandy are the most progressive leaders on the island with what they are doing. We saw the vineyards Chris is involved with now and Barbeito with their partnership, has deep pockets and even though they are a fairly young company in terms of how long they've been around comapred to most of the others, their vineyard contacts and handshake "contracts" are fantastic.

When they need old stocks of a specific grape, they can source it usually very quickly too. How many companies keep old Tinta Negra on hand in wood? Also, Ricardo's collaborations with Mannie from the RWC are growing by leaps and bounds. Ricardo is as likeable as anyone I've met on the island and truly cares about the heritage, the history, the vineyards, the future success and preservation of the island. Most of all, he is a fabulous educator and promoter of and for the island and its wine tradition!

Ricardo is a great person I admire ... A lot..