For The Love Of Port

Who do you feel is/was the SINGLE most influential individual in the Port trade?

It can be a person alive and active today, or retired ... or even someone you've read about from the remarkable history of Port.

I am looking forward to some thoughtful responses.

Slightly different ... if you could choose any one person from the Port trade today that you've never met, but could sit down and have dinner with, who would it be?

Edward III :)

Dona Antónia A. Ferreira

Probably Pombal

Tom

Three very good responses. I am still thinking who I would pick. Would love to hear what others think too.

Joseph Forrester

I have to admit that while I don't think my answer is bad, I posted it to see who was paying attention.

Marc J. wrote:Dona Antónia A. Ferreira

I'd have to agree....even to this day you can see her name etched into stone boundry markers and buildings throught the entire Upper Douro. It was amazing how much she controlled...and for a female in those time, that had to raise some eyebrows for sure.

Andy, I am not sure how much you have read about this revered person in the annals of Portuguese history. Just about any other woman, yes, it may have raised eyebrows back in the 19th century. Besides being the most prolific owner of Douro property and nobody owned more until possibly around 2000 ... but she gave away more money for worthy causes than possibly anybody in that country's storied past.

Dona Antonia, as she became to be known, was a remarkable woman and was one of the greatest philanthropists that Portugal has ever seen. She helped to pave the way for schools and hospitals and tons of infrastructure (for that time) to be built, giving enormous sums of her own money to help her countrymen and women. So in this particular case, I think it is more of a case of people saying prayers to her on Sunday, rather than raising their eyebrows.

Yeap and that gave her a lot of influence.

Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, also known as Marquês de Pombal

If there are prizes involved in this question, my answer is ROY HERSH!!! :hello:

Otherwise, I'd go with Pombal as well.

Dick Yeatman - has anyone ever made more vintages than he did?

Hi Alex,

Off the top of my head without going to my books, the only one I can think of that even comes close is Peter Symington who will retire after 45 vintages under his belt, later this year.

Is it possible that Patrick O'Brian has made more people THINK about drinking Port than anyone else, ever?

I don't know Peter, but I'd say that Conan O'Brian is far more likely.

Hell , If there is a vote for Conan O Brian then how about Conan the barbarian

Luc,

Then by extrapolation it would have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger in reality. That or peanut butter of course.

Right then .
Off the top of my head cant extrapolate "Schwartzy" .
But since "Arnold" is in the blend , how about Arnold the pig ( Ah , Green Acres is the place to be )
How about Tom Arnold ?
It goes without saying , that before going any further , In order for the thread to remain Port related , uncle Tom must added to the blend . . .

Dona Antónia A. Ferreira was exactly who came to mind.

As for who to sit down with for dinner... hmm. I'm pretty sure I've met them all
I'd say Adrian Bridge. I've met all of the other family members at the Fladgate group, but never Adrian.
-Dave-