News archives 2010

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News archives 2010.
All articles older than 1 to 3 months are entered in News archives. We start with a title list with accompanying dates. You will find the full articles by linking the titles.

Outside Portugal Port is especially associated with British shippers. The Symington Family and the Fladgate Partnership are the most well-known. Symington is market leader with about 23% and Fladgate is well forth with 11%. Only a few know Sogrape at three. Their most important brand Sandeman is famous, but is especially considered to be British.

This image of dominant British influences originated in the past. When in 1689 a war broke out between England and France, the British were looking for other wines. Rapidly they gained large influences in Portugal. This influence was formalized in the Threaty of Methuen from 1703. Up till now the idea of a strong British contribution in the Port industry is prevalent.

Many Portuguese are at least unhappy with this. They think the Douro region and its products are completely Portuguese. Certainly all wine farmers have been Portuguese for ages. Only the last ten or fifteen years Port shippers invest in their own quintas and vineyards.

On September 11^th the Portuguese newspaper Diário Económico published an article by Sónia Santos Pereira entitled: ‘Douro region is in the hands of the Portuguese.’ She especially bases her thesis on sayings by Paul Symington, president of the group. He says: “We have lived in Portugal for five generations and we work in the Douro and in the Port.” Though he admits that the arrival of foreign players in the region is the natural recognition of what the high quality of the Douro wines have effected, Symington states “that the large work for the development of the Douro wines - on the national and international stage - is owed to the Portuguese wine makers.”

Santos Pereira does not say so literally in her article, but she suggests that all former immigrants have completely become Portuguese. From there she is positive about new investors like the Spanish Caixanova (Sogevinus with incl. Calém and Kopke), the French Vranken Pommery (Rozès), the French Californian Vincent Bouchard (Quinta do Tedo) and the Frenchman J.F. Lurton (Q. do Malho). And she quotes Jorge Alves, wine maker of Q. do Tedo with: “Strong names from the wine world with international recognition like Bouchard and Lurton are excellent for the region because they are international reference points which will help the image of the Douro.”

Fortified wines central on Vancouver Playhouse Festival.
25/12/10. The 33^rd edition of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival from March 28^th to April 3^rd , 2011 will have fortified wines as Global Focus. The now available information gives the impression that focus will be on the real products with the emphasis on Sherry, Port and Madeira. This year the Theme Region is Spain.
For more information see: http://www.playhousewinefest.com/

Sales numbers January - October 2010.
25/12/10. The sales results for the first ten months of this year have increased less than during the first nine months. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of the first nine months of 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 3.2% (4.3%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 6.2% (8.3%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 1.3% (2.2%).
- the revenue of the Standard Ports sold increased by 1.3% (2.3%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 12.4% (15.7%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 16.8% (22.5%).

For more information see: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of December 25^th , 2010.
25/12/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in France, Germany, Portugal and Spain:

France:
. January 3rd: Hotel School in France - Lycée Professionnel Vauban- Aire sur La Lys - Lillie.
. January 6th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Ambroise Croizat - Moutiers - Grenoble.
. January 24th-25th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Professionnel Vauban - Aire sur La Lys - Lillie.
. February 9th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Professionnel Privé Sainte Marie - Bailleul - Lille.
. February 22nd: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Prof Louis Antoine de Bourgainville - Nantes.
. March 15th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Prof Louis Antoine de Bourgainville - Nantes.
. November 18th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Michel Servet - Lille.
. December 9th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Michel Servet - Lille.

Germany:
. Colheita tasting - Cologne.

Portugal:
. Enoturismo BTL - Lisbon.

Spain:
. February 20th-23rd: Fórum Gastronómico de Girona.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 253, December 2010.
25/12/10. The December issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
-      The Niepoort LBV 2005 got 16.5 points out of 20 from the editorial staff.
-      The Quinta Seara d’Ordens LBV 2005, the Gran Cruz 30 Years Old Tawny and the Q. da Casa Amarela Reserva scored 16 points.
-      The Barros Lágrima Tinto (Red!) scored 15.5 points.

Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores:
António Falcão reports of this RdeV organized event. For the results of the Concurso A Escolha da Imprensa see our item of 04/12/10.

Andresen Colheitas:
João Paulo Martins and Luís Lopes write about a vertical tasting with eleven Andresen Colheitas in Vila Nova de Gaia. The highest score was for the Colheita 1910 of 2,500 Euros with 19.5 points. At the bottom of the list we find the Colheita 1992 of 20 Euros with 16.5 points.

Special supplement:
A special supplement of November 27^th was attached. It was made by the newspaper Público and RdeV. The magazine contained a nice part with four articles on Port: Symington and biological production, the Vintage 2008, a buying guide of Vintages 2008 and an article about Vintages in general.

Top 200 - 2010 of Marcelo Copello - Brazil.
25/12/10. On December 10^th the Brazilian wine writer Marcelo Copello has published his tenth Top 200 (The Best Wines Of 2010). In the category sweet and fortified we find the following Ports:
-      The Cockburn’s Special Reserve.
-      The Burmester Vintage 2007.
-      The 30 Years Old Tawny of Quinta de Santa Eufêmia.
For more see: http://www.mardevinho.com.br/uploads/2008/08/Top200-Os-Melhores-de-2010.pdf

Liv-ex Fine Wine Power 100 list 2010.
25/12/10. On December 17^th the English electronic market place for wine traders, Liv-ex (http://www.liv-ex.com/), has published its annual list of the strongest wine brands. Five criterions are judged for this list (see: http://www.liv-ex.typepad.com/). This year we find three Port brands in the list:
-      No. 48 Taylor’s (in 2009 idem).
-      No. 74 Fonseca (in 2009: 66).
-      No. 94 Dow’s (in 2009: not).
The Drinks Business (http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/) has published an extensive analysis of the results in its December issue. The article can be found at: http://liv-ex.typepad.com/files/liv-ex-fine-wine-power-100--2010.pdf

Wines of the year 2010 of Tom Cannavan.
25/12/10. Tom Cannavan of Wines Pages has again published his choice of the best wines he tasted this year. The Quinta do Noval Vintage 2000 is the one in the category Fortified.
For more information see: http://www.wine-pages.com/features/wines-of-the-year-2010.shtml

Top lists Jancis Robinson 2010.
25/12/10. Jancis Robinson has again published her Top lists of the Year in the Financial Times. We find the following Ports in her list Sweet:
-   Berrys' Crusted 2003 (Symington).
-   Quinta do Vallado 10 Years Old Tawny.
-   Taylor's Q. de Vargellas Vintage 2001.
-   Q. do Noval 20 Years Old Tawny.
-   Taylor's Vintage 1985.
-   Graham's Vintage 1970.
-   Taylor's Scion. She names this a NV, but it is a Colheita 1855.
For more information see: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/082c70a4-07fa-11e0-8138-00144feabdc0.html#axzz192HEbPAB

AWC Vienna 2010 (2).
25/12/10. On December 4th we have published the only Trophy winner from the Port industry in the AWC Vienna - Austria, see here. Now the other results are known too. The following Ports of Vallegre won a medal:
-   Vista Alegre 20 Years Old Tawny with 93.9 points: Gold and the Trophy in the category Fortified Wines.
-   Vista Alegre Vintage 2007 with 90.8 points: Gold.
-   Vista Alegre Colheita 1997 with 88.5 points: Silver.
For more information see: https://www2.awc-vienna.at/cgi-bin/awc/ergebnisse/ergebnisse.cgi

Vancouver Magazine International Wine Competition 2010/11.
25/12/10. During the seventh VMIWC a Vancouver Magazine Wine Award 2011 was granted to the following Port products:
-   Taylor's LBV 2003.
-   Graham's Six Grapes Reserve.
The competition contained over 850 entries from 13 countries (in 2009/10: over 800).
The WAWWJ ranking of the VMIWC 2008 was 6.00 out of 10.
For more information see: http://www.vanmag.com/Shopping/Vancouver_Magazine_Wine_Awards_2011

Next publication.
04/12/10. Our next publication will not be on January 1st or 2nd, 2011, but on December 26th, 2010.

Colheita tasting in Leverkusen.
04/12/10. In February 2011, Axel Probst of www.worldofport.de will organize a Colheita tasting in cooperation with the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP). The aim of the tasting is the presentation of this in Germany utterly unknown Port type and the developing of the advantages compared to the Vintage Ports.

Probably the tasting will be organized in the Bayer Kasino in Leverkusen on February 24^th at 10.00. Probst will only invite experts on a personal basis. The number of participants will be at the most 30.

After a short introductory young and old Colheitas will be tasted from 1995 to 1937. Until now Andresen, Niepoort, Noval, Poças, Krohn and Warre’s have promised to participate.

Vintages 2008 (4).
04/12/10. As known the 2008 harvest will not produce a general declared Vintage. The large producers give preference to their Single Quinta Vintages or their second brands. Amongst the other producers we can announce three new ones (the additions are printed in italics):

Sogevinus (Cálem, Burmester, Gilbert’s, Barros, Kopke):
- Kopke Q. de São Luiz.

Sogrape (Ferreira, Offley, Sandeman):
- Geen Vintages 2008.

The Fladgate Partnership:
- Taylor's Quinta de Terra Feita.
- Taylor's Q. de Vargellas.
- Fonseca Guimaraens.
- Fonseca Q. do Panascal.
- Croft Q. da Roeda.

The Symington Family Estates:
For sale now:
- Dow's Q. da Senhora da Ribeira.
- Q. do Vesúvio.
Not for sale now:
- Dow's Q. do Bomfim.
- Graham's Q. dos Malvedos.
- Warre’s Q. da Cavadinha.

Others:
- Duorum.
- Churchill’s.
- Quinta Seara d’Ordens.
- Q. do Portal.
- Quevedo Q. Vale d’Agodinho.
- Q. da Gaivosa (Domingos Alves de Sousa).
- Q. da Romaneira.
- Q. do Noval.
- Q. Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
- Cockburn's Q. dos Canais.
- Niepoort Pisca.
- Q. do Crasto.

Sales numbers January - September 2010.
04/12/10. The sales results for the first nine months of this year have increased more than during the first eight months. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of the first eight months of 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 4.3% (3.2%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 8.3% (7.6%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 2.2% (1.5%).
- the revenue of the Standard Ports sold increased by 2.3% (2%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 15.7% (13.6%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 22.5% (22.4%).

For more information see: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of December 2010.
04/12/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in France:

France:
. December 9th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Pierre Mendes France - Contrexeville - Nancy Metz.
. December 13th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Professionel la Mediterranée - La Ciotat - Aix-Marseille.
. February 9th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Professionel Privé Sainte Marie - Bailleul - Lille.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 252, November 2010.
04/12/10. The November issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
-      The Cálem Rosé got 14.5 points out of 20 from the editorial staff.
-      The Offley Rosé scored 15 points.
-      The Poças Pink/Rosé also scored 15 points.
-      The Dalva Colheita 1999 scored 16.5 points (C. Da Silva).

Harvest 2010:
The editorial staff visited several regions. These were Quinta Nova and Q. da Leda of Ferreira/Sogrape in the Port region.
On September 29^th Luís Lopes visited Q. Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo and noted: “We had to wait for the maturing, but until now the acidity was not brilliant, without requiring large corrections.
On September 30^th João Paulo Martins visited Q. da Leda. At the time their harvest was halfway. He wrote: “One does not expect a memorable year in the Douro Superior, but nevertheless the average is very high.

Q. do Infantado:
Luís Antunes describes the launching of some new products of Quinta do Infantado. He judged their Colheita 2001 with 17 points out of 20.

La Mujer Elige 2010.
04/12/10. During the biennial Concurso Internacional de Vinos & Licores La Mujer Elige (Woman’s choice) in Mendoza, Argentina from October 18^th to 22^nd Arlindo da Costa Pinto e Cruz of Casal dos Jordões won two medals:
- Gold for the Ruby Lagrima***.
- Silver for the Porto Pink.
The competition contained 945 entries from 28 countries of which rather more than 17% won a medal.
For more information see: http://www.lamujerelige.com/en_index.htm

***Rare, especially known in the white version. A Lagrima or Very Sweet at least has 5° Baumé or 130 g/l sugar. This Ruby of Casal dos Jordões has 6,3° Baumé = 169 g/l.

Hong Kong international Wine & Spirit Competition 2010.
04/12/10. During the second edition of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong international Wine & Spirit Competition from October 30^th to November 2^nd a Bronze Award was granted to the Quinta do Crasto LBV 2004.
The competition contained more than 1,300 entries (in 2009 about 1.300).
See: http://www.asiasbestwinesandspirits.com/search2010/wine and choose Origin of Entry: Portugal.

AWC Vienna 2010.
04/12/10. On November 2^nd the Trophy winners of the AWC Vienna - Austria were announced. The Vallegre Vista Alegre 20 Years Old Tawny won an AWC Trophy in the category Fortified Wines.
For more see: http://www.awc-vienna.at/images/stories/awc_forms/2010/trophygewinner2010.pdf

The other results will be published later.

The competition contained 10.951 entries from 36 countries (in 2009: 9.164).
The WAWWJ ranking of the AWC 2008 was 6.5 out of 10.

Great Wine Capitals: Best Of Wine Tourism Awards 2011.
04/12/10. The Great Wine Capitals Global Network has granted its annual tourism awards in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Three National Winner Awards went to the Port region:
-      Enoteca Douro/Quinta da Avessada in the category Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences. See our News item of 02/08/08: Large tourism project in Favaios.
-      DOC restaurant/Rui Paula, Folgosa/Armamar in the category Wine Tourism Restaurants. See: http://www.ruipaula.com/_apresentacao_9
-      Quinta hotel do Pégo in the category Accomodation. See our News item of 27/06/09: Hotel Quinta do Pégo.

For more information see: http://www.greatwinecapitals.com/?co=0&tp=51&cop=51&LG=0&mop=53&it=winner_lst

Encontro com o Vinho e os Sabores 2010.
04/12/10. During the Encontro com o Vinho e os Sabores of wine magazine Revista de Vinhos in Lisbon from November 5^th to 8^th prizes in the Concurso A Escolha da Imprensa were awarded to the following Port Wine products:

The Burmester Colheita 1960 won the Grande Prémio Escolha da Imprensa in the category Fortified Wines.

In the same category Prémios Escolha da Imprensa went to:
-      J.H. Andresen 20 Years Old White.
-      Kopke Porto 40 Years Old White.
-      Rozès 20 Years Old Tawny.
-      Quinta da Casa Amarela Reserve.
-      Q. Dona Matilde Vintage 2007.
-      Q. Seara d’Ordens Vintage 2008.
-      Poças LBV 2005.

See also: http://www.infovini.com/article116642

Wine Spectator Top 100 2010.
04/12/10. Every year, since 1988, the editors of the American wine magazine Wine Spectator survey all wines which they have reviewed the past 12 months. This results in a Top 100 based on quality, price, availability and excitement. This year the Dow’s Vintage 2007 is the only Port with 100 points placed 14^th .
See: http://www.winespectator.com/display/show?id=top100-2010 and
http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/pdf/WSTop100AtAGlance2010s.pdf

Noval Award 2010.
04/12/10. The English Institute of Masters of Wine has granted its annual (Quinta do) Noval Award to Jean Reilly MW for her dissertation which examined US Sommelier attitudes towards German Riesling.
For more information see: http://www.mastersofwine.org/en/news/index.cfm/id/BE068D77-5F32-4016-ACE0785466055D88

Rodeo Uncorked 2010/2011.
04/12/10. During the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition in Houston on November 13^th and 14^th awards were granted to the following Port products in the class ‘Tawny Port and other oxidized red fortified wines:
- The Barros Colheita 1997 won a Silver Medal and became Reserve Class Champion.
- The Barros 10 and 20 Years Old Tawnies both won a Silver Medal.
The competition contained 1,789 entries from 16 countries of which rather more than 64% won a medal (in 2009: 1,761 entries).
For more see: http://www.hlsr.com/events/wine/downloads/2011HLSRMedalWinningWines.pdf

InterVin 2010.
04/12/10. On November 15^th the results of the Canadian Intervin Intenational Wine Awards, organized from August 29^th to September 2^nd , were published on the internet. The Graham’s Six Grapes won a Bronze Medal.
For more see: http://intervin.ca/sitepages/?cid=451&cn=2010%20AWARD%20WINNERS&an=InterVin%20Award%20Winners

Harvest results 2010.
08/11/10. On October 18^th the Graham’s/Malvedos blog of the Symington group stated:
“Our wine making teams have made some very good Ports and DOC wines this year.”

On October 25th Oscar Quevedo of Quevedo Vinhos in São João da Pesqueira wrote this to us:
“Regarding the harvest 2010, it is a little bit early to talk about quality. The quantity was around 25% higher than average, specially the Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca. As you may know, maturity was around 20 days behind, so we started harvesting later than usual. If it was now, I think we should have waited even more to get a full ripening, but as rain was a real threat for some occasions, we decided to continue harvesting to reduce the risk. In the end of the harvest we were getting very good and healthy grapes, full mature, with lot of polyphenols. Musts were showing beautiful colours and great aromas. Now lets see how they behave during the next cold months and how they go through Winter time. My sister and me are very positive about a couple of Ports we made in the last week of September. They are already showing great structure and a nice balance, but we have to wait.”

Symington buys rest Cockburn’s.
08/11/10. In 2006 the Symington group (including Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s and Quinta do Vesúvio) bought all vineyards, premises and stocks of Cockburn’s. Now an agreement has been reached with Beam Global/Fortune Brands about the purchase of the ownership and the distribution of the brand. Beam Global continues to do the distribution in selected countries. Almost the complete Cockburn’s trade is exported.

The price was not disclosed. The conveyance has yet to be approved by the English competition authorities. This is also the reason that no further statements are made for the time being. It is expected that the transaction will be finished before the end of 2010.

Paul Symington, president of the group, stated in several press publications that the fetch back of the brand to Portugal is a proof of confidence in the Port industry. From the fifties the brand Cockburn’s had been in English hands.

Taylor’s launches 155 years old Port.
08/11/10. In 2008 winemaker David Guimaraens tasted an excellent stored and treated Port from before the fylloxera era at a family in the Douro. Taylor’s will now market this 1855 wine entitled Scion in a gift box and in a edition of about 1,400 bottles in December. (Scion: a descendent of a distinguished family.)

On May 10^th the Wine Detective Sarah Ahmed wrote in her blog:
“Last December, Taylor’s acquired some casks of pre-phylloxera ‘Tawny’ Port, dating back to the 1850’s. The wine had been stored in the bottom of a house and, far from being forgotten or abandoned, it had been racked, so the wine is “totally bright”.
And on October 12^th :
“Due to the rarity, historical interest and exceptional quality of this Port, it was decided to release this as a limited parcel rather than use it for blending.”
“It shows the olive rim of an oldie and, though initially a little “dusty” on the nose, its lifted, spicy, chutney-like fruit soon comes through. The palate is incredibly intense in its carraway-like spiciness. It feels almost to evaporate from the tongue (high but good volatile acidity according to Guimarãens, because it’s balanced by sweetness). But such is its intensity, this wine really leaves its mark - the spice, an impression of thick but dry dark treacle and, of course, a sense of time and history.”

The price of this Colheita 1855 is 2,500 English pounds (2,880 Euros) Sarah Ahmed expects that this special wine will be for sale at Harrods and Nickolls & Perks, among others.

Investments Q. Nova.
08/11/10. The Amorim group, owner of wine company and hotel Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo and the Wine Centre in Pinhão, continues to invest.

Recently granite lagares have been made worth of 80,000 Euros. The company hopes in this way to be able to make a unique, exceptional wine. The result, a Reserva, has to be marketed in three years’ time.

In the Douro Superior the group will plant 25 hectares of grapes at Q. de São Cibrão worth of 1 million Euros. This quinta with a total of 180 hectares in the neighbourhood of Barca d’Alva was bought in 2001.
(Source: Expresso of 09/10/10.)

See also:
http://www.amorim.pt/en/par.php?zID=111
www.quintanova.com
and our News item of 05/04/08: Wine centre Q. Nova in Pinhão station.

Dow’s “Chocolate Port” Nirvana.
08/11/10. Mostly wines are chosen to accompany certain food dishes or products. The Dow’s team of Charles Symington has now reversed this process in cooperation with The Flanders Taste Foundation. The Dow’s Nirvana Reserve (Ruby) is a special blend made to combine with dark chocolate (60-75%, especially from Ecuador, Peru, Uganda and Costa Rica).
For the time being the Nirvana will only be launched in The Netherlands.

The reasons for making this wine was that the Dow’s team itself likes the pairing with chocolate, the increasing interest in combinations and the worldwide appeal for chocolate.

Charles Symington and his team started with a number of different wines that they felt would best complement chocolate. After a series of preliminary tastings together with a well respected Sommelier and wine taster, the blend was refined to accentuate the floral aromas and the tannic structure of the wine. Samples of this blend were then sent to be scientifically analyzed at the University of Leuven, Belgium, where Professor Lammertyn and his team identified the key flavour components that were both common and complementary to the Port and to chocolates of different styles and origins.
Based on these findings, The Flanders Taste Foundation panel produced a food pairing analysis report to define the best combination. The result was the Dow’s Nirvana.

The used wines come from Quinta do Bomfim and Q. da Senhora da Ribeira. The soft, ripe tannins, intense texture and dry finish come from the old vines, the large percentage of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional and the special terroir of Q. do Bomfim.

The Nirvana bottle of 0.5 litre is offered in a fine, purple box with windows for the bottle label and an included 15 grams 64% chocolate tablet from Costa Rica. A separate strip provides good information. The Nirvana is available at Gall & Gall as of week 44 and will cost 11.99 Euros and for card holders 9.99 Euros to December 5th.

The Flanders Foundation was founded in order to become a platform for new technology, new ingredients and new sources of inspiration. Participation in the selection process:
-          Dominique Personne (Belgian Chocolatier).
-          Guido Francque (Master Sommelier and wine critic).
-          Peter Cocquyt (ex-Michelin Star chef).
-          Bernard Lahousse (Food Pairing expert).
Annually the Foundation organizes the Flemish Primitives, see: http://tfp.wieni.be/

Museu do Côa inaugurated, but not ready.
08/11/10. On July 30^th the Museu do Vale do Côa was inaugurated by the Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates. The museum is dedicated to the archaeological findings in the eastern part of the Port region (around Vila Nova de Foz Côa) and the Palaeolithic rock engravings in the Côa river valley.
The inauguration drew little attention from the press. The own website is very limited.

On August 10^th Filipe C. Silva visited the museum and subsequently published an extensive review on it. He concludes that many things still have shortcomings. He calls it not very visitor friendly, especially for foreigners, and recommends to wait at least one year before considering a visit.
See his article at: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26812

The museum does not have its own website but does receive one page with some paragraphs on the joint site of the Igespar (the institute for architectonic and archaeological heritage) of the Ministry of Culture.
See: http://www.igespar.pt/pt/monuments/53/
The page is available in Portuguese and English, but the paragraph on the museum only in Portuguese.
See also: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/866/

For the particular architecture see: http://www.camilorebelo.com/029_en.html
For the rock engravings see: www.uc.pt/fozcoa
See also: Round trip 11. Archaeological and palaeolithic art.

Sales numbers January - August 2010.
08/11/10. The sales results for the first eight months of this year continue to be positive, though the growth has stagnated further. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of the first seven months of 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 3.2% (4.4%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 7.6% (10.1%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 1.5% (3.2%).
- the revenue of the Standard Ports sold increased by 2% (3.7%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 13.6% (14.6%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 22.4% (31.3%).

For more information see: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of November 2010.
08/11/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in France and Portugal:

France:
. December 9th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Pierre Mendes France - Contrexeville - Nancy Metz.
. December 13th: Hotel Schools in France - Lycée Professionel la Mediterranée - La Ciotat - Aix-Marseille.

Portugal:
. November 5th-8th: Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores 2010 - Centro Congressos FIL - Lisbon.
. November 27th-28th: Porto & Douro Wine Show - Convento do Beato - Lisbon.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 251, October 2010.
08/11/10. The October issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos has been published in a renewed, brighter design. The issue contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
The editorial staff judged the following wines:
-      Adega Cooperativa Vale da Teja Soneto Reserva Tawny 15 points out of 20.
-      Dalva Ruby Reserve 15.5 points (C. Da Silva).
-      Dalva LBV 2005 16 points.
-      Burmester Sotto Voce Reserva 16 points.
-      Andresen Colheita 1910 (2,000 Euros) 20 points and chosen as one of the six Selections of the Month.

Harvest 2010:
On September 1^st João Afonso visited the Quintas da Romaneira and do Noval and on September 2^nd Caves Trasmontanas and Real Companhia Velha, but this was too early for a complete picture of the harvest.

Tasting 20 Years Old Tawnies:
João Paulo Martins wrote the report of a tasting with 35 different 20 Years Old Tawnies. He concludes: “Very good (and some excellent) wines, prices very different, styles variated. For all tastes.”
The winners were Ferreira Duque de Bragança and Quinta do Noval with 18.5 points out of 20.
At the bottom of the list we find Churchill’s and Q. do Estanho with 15 points.

The Yeatman Hotel:
Samuel Alemão describes this new hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia of the Fladgate Partnership (Taylor’s, Fonseca, Croft). He judges it with 17 points out of 20. See also our News item of 02/10/10: The Yeatman Hotel inaugurated.

IWSC 2010 (2): Trophies.
08/11/10. We have published the medals of the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2010 on 05/06/10.

The National Wine Product Trophy 2010 for Port Wine has been granted to the Symington Family Estates for their Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos (SQ) Vintage 1999.
For more information see: http://www.iwsc.net/pages/product_trophies/

For the election of the Portuguese Wine Producer Trophy 2010 three of the six nominees are from the Port industry:
-      Cockburn’s.
-      Symington Family Estates.
-      Sogrape.
The result will be announced on 17 November 17^th .
For more information see: http://www.iwsc.net/pages/producer_trophies/

International Value Wine Awards 2010.
08/11/10. For the International Value Wine Awards of the Canadian magazine Wine Access, wines are judged which are sold in Canada for 25 Canadian dollars or less. During the judging from June 14^th to 18^th a Judges’ Choice was awarded to the following Ports, all three with 88 points:
-      Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve.
-      Sandeman LBV 2004.
-      Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve.
This year the IVWA judged about 1,050 entries.
For more information see: http://www.wineaccess.ca/ivwa-2010-after-dinner-and-fruit-wine

Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards 2010.
08/11/10. The American magazine Wine Enthusiast has chosen Sogrape (including Ferreira, Offley, Sandeman) to European Winery of the Year 2010.
For more information see: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/wineenthusiast/46736/ and http://www.winemag.com/
For the nominations see our News item of 04/09/10: Wine Enthusiast nominates Sogrape.

Wine Enthusiast: Top 100 Best Buys.
08/11/10. The editors of the American Wine Enthusiast Magazine has published its annual Top 100 Best Buys of the by them chosen finest value-priced wines of the year. In this list we find the Quarles Harris LBV 2005 of the Symington group 35^th with 90 points.
For more information see: http://www.wineenthusiast.com/pdf/TopShelfspecial%20editionValue.pdf

Wine & Spirits: Top 100 Wineries of the Year 2010.
08/11/10. The American Wine & Spirits Magazine has published its annual Top 100 Wineries of the Year. In this list we find the following four companies from the Douro/Port region:
-      Niepoort.
-      Quinta do Noval.
-      Q. do Vallado.
-      Q do Vesúvio.
The chosen companies were able to present their products at a gala in San Francisco on October 13^th.
For more information see: http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/top100/eblast/wineries/

Drinks Business Wine Innovation Awards 2010.
08/11/10. The Sandeman Apitiv White Port won a Bronze Medal in de Wine Innovation Awards of The Drinks Business.
For more information see: http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/images/stories/ROM_pics/10_18_2010/wia_winners_2010.pdf

IWC: The Library Collection 2010.
08/11/10. Each year the International Wine Challenge also organizes a special tasting of 5 and 10 years old wines entitled The Library Collection (earlier The Octavian Vaults Library Collection). We find the following products of Adriano Ramos Pinto in the results:
-      ARP Vintage 2000 with 91/100 points.
-      ARP LBV 2000 with 90/100 points.
-      ARP Ervamoira Vintage 2005 with 93/100 points.
-      ARP LBV 2005 with 92/100 points.
For more information see: http://internationalwinechallenge.com/LibraryCollectionResult.aspx

Ottawa Wine Challenge 2010.
08/11/10. The Ottawa Wine Challenge (earlier Cellars of the World) is the competition of the Ottawa Wine and Food Show which was organized this year from November 5^th to 7^th . We find the following real Ports in the category Fortified Wines:
-      Silver for the Graham’s LBV 2005.
-      Silver for the Graham’s 20 Years Old Tawny.
-      Bronse for the Quinta do Infantado Tawny.
The competition contained about 400 entries (in 2009: 360).
For more information see: http://www.ottawawineandfoodshow.com/wine-challenge.html

Harvest 2010.
02/10/10. The massive mobilizing of manpower and the light excitement about the running harvest are increasingly apparent in the press and on the internet. The only thing we miss terribly sitting behind our desk are the smells of the fermenting must.
The weather seams favourable. Some occasional rain showers that gave no problems. The only problem area was around Alijó where it rained much too hard and there was even hail.

On Quinta do Vale Dona Maria of Cristiano van Zeller the picking of the white grapes started on September 2^nd followed by the red ones on September 10^th.
Quevedo started on September 11^th.
The Symington group began on September 16^th with harvesting at Graham’s Q. do Tua.
See also our News item of 04/09/10: Harvest expectations 2010.

Not much can be said yet about the quality of the harvest, though the many remarks about the colour of the must which is deep red to purple is often a good indication for the quality of the wine.

According to his September 8^th blog Van Zeller predicted “that the wines of 2010 will be strong in flavour and body with a reasonable acidity.”
On September 21^st Óscar Quevedo wrote, amongst other things, in his blog:
-      “The weather is good, dry and clear, with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius - still okay to swim in the Douro river.”
-      “Day after day musts are showing deeper and deeper colours - best indicator is the skin of my hand, which is getting black.”
-      “During the first days, grape juice tasted like strawberries, now it is tasting like blackberries - one day it will taste like good Port Wine.”
On September 26^th Graham’s blog wrote that “the must has lifted aromas and a pleasant dark colour with hints of purple.”
On September 29th the Quinta do Tedo blog quoted its winemaker Jorge Alves: "2010 is the best year since 2007, yet remains too early to know if of Vintage quality."
On September 30th The Drinks Business published an interview of Patrick Schmitt with Paul Symington. He said: "Hopes are running high that 2010 could be declared a classic vintage." and "We could have something really exciting if the weather holds."

The Yeatman Hotel inaugurated.
02/10/10. August saw the inauguration of the five stars The Yeatman Hotel in the historic centre of Vila Nova de Gaia. On September 26^th an official opening ceremony was organized under chairmanship of the President of the Republic Professor Dr. Anibal Cavaco Silva.

Mid 2007 the plans for the hotel were presented by The Fladgate Partnership (Taylor’s, Fonseca, Croft). The hotel is built on the green part of the Croft complex and on part of the parking area. Many environmental measures have been included in the design. The total investment amounts to about 32 million Euros. See also our News items of 02/06/07 and 05/04/08.

The Yeatman has 12 suites and 70 rooms of at least 40 square metres, all with balcony and view of the gardens, the Douro and the Unesco World Heritage area of Oporto. The prices of double bedrooms are from 185 Euros in the low season and from 260 Euros in the high season.
The hotel has restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gymnasium, a kids club, several meeting and events rooms and an extensive cellar with Portuguese, European and New World top wines.

Apart from the name and the location the hotel has two other aspects which turn it into a real wine hotel.
The Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa offers exclusive skincare products and therapies using extracts of grapes.
There are chosen different wine partners. To each one a room has been allocated which they can determine their individual style. Almost sixty producers are already participating, including Alves de Souza, Borges, Delaforce, Dow’s, Graham’s, Duorum, Niepoort, Quinta do Crasto, Q. do Noval, Q. Nova, Ramos Pinto, Real Companhia Velha and Romaneira from the Douro region. The partners will also participate in the Yeatman programm of tastings, seminars and wine dinners. On September 2^nd Borges hosted the first wine dinner. Obviously it is one of the most extensive voluntary partnerships of the Port and Douro wine industry.

See: http://www.the-yeatman-hotel.com/

Port blogs: dead or alive?
02/10/10. Since late 2008 we have been able to state ten blogs of Port producers. At the first one we wrote: “The big challenge will be to persevere the frequency of the posting of new contributions.” Research of blog search engine Technorati over 2008 showed that no more than 1% of the blogs had been updated in the last week before the inquiry. Over 2009 Technorati only looked at the active bloggers: 71% updates the blog every week, 22% daily.
Only the blog of (Óscar) Quevedo shows to be really active. As from December 2008 we tallied an average of over 6.5 messages a month. Only once did he drop below the average of one message a week sending only four messages in a month.

The blog of Quinta dos Malvedos covered the 2009 harvest in an excellent way. Subsequently though the number of messages stagnated enormously. On July 21^st , 2010 the blog was re-launched and renamed to Graham’s blog (not in the URL). From then on Cynthia Jenson created an active blog with more subjects and internal “gathering”.
Cynthia Jenson is Symington’s writer and columnist, and administers and writes for the Blog and Facebook pages. After a decade of tasting and learning about wine whilst working in the financial industry, Cynthia finally ran away from London and banking to settle in Gaia and fully devote herself and her writing to the wines of Portugal.

The other blogs publish nearly nothing or very little at all in order to draw any attention. Quinta do Tedo and Christian Seely have solved this admirably by making it possible to sign up for announcements of new messages. This is also possible for Graham’s.

On 24 August 24^th Quinta do Vale Dona Maria of Cristiano van Zeller inaugurated a weblog, see http://quintavaledmaria.wordpress.com His start is promising, especially because he publishes on several subjects.

The running harvest is covered very intensively by Malvedos/Graham’s/Jensen, followed closely by Quevedo, while Panascal and Dona Maria will hopefully prove themselves in October.

See also:
http://churchillsestates.blogspot.com/
http://croftportwinelodges.wordpress.com/
http://www.niepoort-projectos.com/dirk.php
http://quintadopanascalvisitorscentre.wordpress.com/
http://malvedos.wordpress.com/ Graham’s.
http://quevedoportwine.com/
http://quintadotedo.wordpress.com/
http://taylorsportwinelodges.wordpress.com/
http://blog.ramospinto.pt/index.php?s=0
http://www.christianseely.com/

Cálem: a cocktail a continent.
02/10/10. Starting with its Rosé Port (see also our News item of 03/07/10: Cálem: Rosé Port in Braille.) Cálem has developed five cocktails, one for each continent. These are based on the taste culture of the continents. An excellent leaflet with sixteen pages has been made for the promotion. The presentations will be done by the country importers.
The main characteristics of the five are:
-      Europe: Rosé and Berry Fruits.
-      Asia: Rosé, (Cherry) Rose Rooibos Tea and Nutmeg.
-      Africa: Rosé and Coffee.
-      America: Rosé, Pineapple and Vanilla.
-      Oceania: Rosé, Litchies and Limens.

If you want the full recipes, please let us know through ipw@infoportwine.com and we will send you the leaflet.

Website Noval Black built out.
02/10/10. The separate website dedicated to the new Reserve Ruby of Quinta do Noval has been extended. For the time being it is only available in English.
See: http://www.novalblack.com/
See also our News item of 01/05/10: Noval Black: a new Reserve Ruby.

Rosé party in Peso da Régua.
02/10/10. On September 18^th the Rota do Vinho do Porto (RVP) organized a Pink Rosé party in the Solar do Vinho do Porto (see Round trip 9e.). The drinks were exclusive Rosés of the region: DOC table wines, Sparkling wines, Rosé Port and Cocktails Rosé. The dress code was pink, anyhow at least one garment or accessory. The event with disc jockeys was graced by well known models and actresses.
See also: http://www.pinkroseparty.com.pt/

Sales numbers January - July 2010.
02/10/10. The sales results for the first seven months of this year continue to be positive, though the growth has stagnated slightly. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures for the first half year of 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 4.4% (5.6%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 10.1% (12%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 1.2% (3.1%).
- the revenue of the Standard Ports sold increased by 3.7% (3.8%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 14.6% (22.1%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 31.3% (35.4%).

For more information see: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of October 2010.
02/10/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in Canada, Portugal and Spain:

Canada:
. October 7th: General tasting in Canada - Port en Douro - Galerie MX - 333 Avenue Viger Ouest - Montreal.
. October 8th: General tasting in Canada - Port en Douro - The Berkeley Church Heritage Event Venue - 315 Queen St East - Toronto.
. October 25th: Hotel Schools Seminary - ITHQ.
. October 26th: Hotel Schools Seminary - Ontario.
. October 27th: Hotel Schools Seminary - Alberta.

Portugal:
. November 5th-8th: Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores 2010 - Centro Congressos FIL - Lisbon.
. November 26th-27th: Porto & Douro Wine Show - Convento do Beato - Lisbon.

Spain:
. October 19th: Education in Hotel schools - Hotel and Tourism School of the University of Barcelona.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 250, September 2010.
02/10/10. The September issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
- The Quinta do Noval Vintage 2008 got 18.5 points out of 20 from the editorial staff and was chosen for the section For the Cellar.
- The Dalva (C. da Silva) 30 Years Old Tawny scored 18 points and was chosen as one of the six Selections of the Month.

José Maria Soares Franco:
João Paulo Martins interviewed the man who jointly with João Portugal Ramos started the project Duorum (see our News item of 04/10/08: Duorum: a new Port brand.). Amongst other things he said that it is difficult to increase the market share of Port and that the table wines can be the salvation of the Douro region.

MUNDUSvini 2010.
02/10/10. During the tenth Great International Wine Prize MUNDUSvini of Meiniger Verlag in Neustadt - Germany from August 27^th to September 5^th the following medals were granted to Port products:
-      Gold: Quinta do Pégo Vintage 2007.
-      Gold: Q. Do Pégo LBV 2005 Unfiltered.
-      Silver: Niepoort Fabelhaft Ruby.
The competition contained 5,883 entries from 42 countries of which 1,771 wines or 30,1% won a medal (in 2009: 5,726 entries).
MUNDUSvini 2010 was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of this competition in 2008 was 8,00 out of 10.
For more information see: http://www.mundusvini.de/54--~de~internationaler_weinpreis~internationaler_weinpreis.html
For the results see: http://www.mundus-vini.de/9894580--~de~internationaler_weinpreis~ergebnisse~2010.html and choose Weinart: Port/Madeira/Sherry.

New Zealand International Wine Show 2010.
02/10/10. During the fifth New Zealand International Wine Show from September 6^th to 8^th Gold medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      Barros Ruby.
-      Dow’s 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      Fonseca Bin 27.
-      Sandeman 20 Years Old Tawny.
-      Sandeman LBV 2004.
-      Sandeman Vintage 2000.
-      Taylor’s 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      Taylor’s First Estate (Reserve Ruby).
The competition contained 2,107 entries of which 1,488 wines or rather more than 70% won a medal (in 2009: more than 2,000 entries).
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.nziws.co.nz/index.htm

Harvest expectations 2010.
04/09/10. On July 5^th the ADVID expected an average yield in the Douro of 333,000 pipas (minimal 303,000, maximum 366,000 pipas/casks of 550 litres). This average is an increase of about 57% compared to the real production of 211,400 pipas in 2009. On the same date the institute determined a delay in the development of two weeks.
The rainfall from November 2009 to June 2010 was much higher than on average.
-      In the Baixo Corgo 1,098 mm, or 44% more than the 30 year’s average.
-      In the Cima Corgo 839.2 mm, or 35% more than the 30 year’s average.
-      In the Douro Superior 846 mm, or 49% more than the 30 year’s average.
The ADVID is the development institute for the viniculture in the Douro.
For the complete bulletin see: http://www.advid.pt/ and choose Boletins técnicos da ADVID and Boletim Informativo 13-10 - Evolução do ano vitícola - Previsão do Potencial de Produção 2010.

However, on August 30th the IVV, the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho, published a bulletin in which the increase for the Douro region is much less with 13%. See: http://www.ivv.min-agricultura.pt/np4/home.html?newsId=2638&fileName=NI_2010_0007___Previs_o_produ__o__Agosto.pdf

On August 11^th Oscar Quevedo also wrote in his excellent Blog about the delayed growth and maturation because of the cold winter. He expected not to be able to start harvesting before September 20^th . On August 24^th it turned out that the ripening process went quicker than expected. On that date he thought to be able to start picking around September 6^th . See for his blog: http://quevedoportwine.com/ http://quevedoportwine.com/vineyards/2010-harvest-first-maturity-control-resultsvindima-2010-resultado-do-primeiro-controlo-de-maturacao/
He also wrote about the possible influences on smell and taste of the to be produced wines because of the huge forest fires in Portugal. See: http://quevedoportwine.com/vineyards/will-forest-fires-in-the-douro-valley-affect-the-quality-of-2010-winesem-que-medida-e-que-os-fogos-florestais-no-douro-poderao-afectar-a-qualidade-dos-vinhos-de-2010/

The Symington group follows the harvest in its Graham’s blog, which started last year as a blog of Quinta dos Malvedos. See: http://malvedos.wordpress.com/

Cooperativa de Favaios with good news and website.
04/09/10. After all the distressing messages about wine cooperations in Portugal it is good to hear that Adega Cooperativa de Favaios came out with good sales results. The trade in the first half year of 2010 increased by 22%. This cooperation is especially striking with its excellent Moscatels of which sales rose with 35%. The number of Port products is limited to a Standard Tawny and a 10 Years Old Tawny of the Monge brand.
Their own shops in Oporto (see Round trip 4h.), Mirandela and Braga are very special.

Recently Cooperativa de Favaios published a new, fine website www.adegadefavaios.pt The site is available in English and Portuguese.

Promotion Port cocktails in Portugal.
04/09/10. This summer the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) carries on in Portugal a promotion campaign entitled ‘Muda de Cenário’ (Change of Scenario) for a ‘Cool and Fashion Summer’. The aim of the action is to vary the use of Port and to interest younger consumers between 25 and 35 years. A budget of 220,000 Euros was available for publicity, communication and marketing. The action goes until the end of September and is especially focussed on the beaches and summer parties.

The action flyer states three cocktails:
-      A Rosé Port cocktail, well chilled and with halve an orange with rind, a small twig of mint and some ice cubes.
-      The Portonic also well chilled, originally with equal parts of dry white Port and tonic, with a slice of lemon and cube of ice. In this action it was promoted with standard white Port. The Portonic is served in a high, narrow long drink glass.
-      The Caipiporto, also in a long drink glass and well chilled, with white Port, a slice of lemon, three spoonfuls of sugar and filled with crushed ice. The Caipiporto is a variation on the Brazilian Caipirinha with rum of sugarcane (cachaça).

Sales numbers in the first half year 2010.
04/09/10. The sales results for the first six months of this year continue to be positive. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of January - May 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 5.6% (5.9%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 12% (12.6%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 3.1% (3%).
- the revenue of the Standard Ports sold increased by 3.8% (4%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 22.1% (24.7%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 35.4% (36.9%).

The complete information can be found at: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of September 2010.
04/09/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in Canada, Portugal and Spain:

Spain:
. October 19th: Education in Hotel schools - Hotel and Tourism School of the University of Barcelona.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 249, August 2010.
04/09/10. The August issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
-      The Dalva Dry White (C. da Silva) got 15.5 points out of 20 from the editorial staff.
-      The Poças Special Reserve Dry White scored 16 points.
-      The Fonseca Terra Prima Reserve got 16.5 points and was chosen as one of the six Selections of the Month (see our News item of 05/06/10: Fonseca: first full biological Port.).

Quinta do Pégo:
Samuel Alemão describes hotel and wine company Q. do Pégo in Valença do Douro, Tabuaço in the Cima Corgo. He values their tourist activities with 16 points out of 20. See also our News item of 27/06/09: Hotel Quinta do Pégo.

Wine Enthusiast nominates Sogrape.
04/09/10. On August 19^th the American magazine Wine Enthusiast has published the nominees for its eleventh annual Wine Star Awards. In the category European Winery of the Year, Sogrape (including Ferreira, Offley, Sandeman) was nominated together with four others.
For more information see: http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2010/Wine-Star-Awards-NOW-2010/

IWC 2010 (3) - nomination Charles Symington.
04/09/10. The International Wine Challenge has announced the shortlists with finalists for its Winemakers of the Year election. In the category Fortified Winemaker of the Year, Charles Symington (from Warre’s) was nominated together with three others.
For more information see: http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/competitionpage1.aspx
For earlier results of the IWC 2010 see our News items of 05/06/10 and 07/08/10.

Expovina IWPZ Zürich 2010.
04/09/10. In the seventeenth Expovina International Weinprämierung Zürich from July 20^th to 23^rd Gold Diplomas were granted to the following Port products:
- Quinta do Passadouro Vintage 2007.
- C. da Silva Vintage 2007.
The competition contained 2,382 entries (in 2009: about 2,100) of which rather more than 32% won an award.
For more information and the other diplomas see: http://www.iwpz.ch/

Berardo would buy Sogevinus/Cálem.
07/08/10. On July 26^th the Portuguese newspaper Diário Económico wrote that the businessman Joe Berardo would buy the Sogevinus group (including Cálem, Burmester, Kopke) from the Spanish bank Caixa Nova de Vigo. From 1998 onwards this bank has steadily increased its interests in the Port and Douro wine industry. It took until 2003 for the full ownership of Cálem to be acquired. In 2005 Burmester and Gilbert’s were bought and in 2006 the Barros Almeida group including Kopke. After this last purchase the market share of Sogevinus in the Port trade would be 11%.
See our News items of:
02/07/05: Sale Burmester/Gilbert’s confirmed.
01/07/06: Sale Barros Almeida confirmed.

Joe Berardo, born on Madeira in 1944, made a fortune in Mozambique. He invested in various companies and shares of stock market noted companies. In the wine industry he owns Bacalhôa Vinhos and owns 31,51% of the Sogrape shares (Ferreira, Offley, Sandeman). He is however especially interested in arts and is a very active collector too.
In 2007 and 2008 Berardo became newsworthy with his plans to save the Casa do Douro and to organize help for the ailing cooperations. Until now these plans have not materialized as yet.
See our News items of:
02/09/06: Part Sogrape (including Sandeman) going public?
01/03/08: Plans Berardo in the Douro, CdoD wants to participate.

In the Diário Económico, Dionisío Oseira, general manager of Sogevinus, said that the company has no intentions of selling out. Berardo said: “I do not speak because many questions are involved.” But later on he also said: “Only in September there could be developments.”

See also: http://www.sogevinus.com/

Benefício 2010.
07/08/10. The interprofessional council (Conselho Interprofissional da Região Demarcada do Douro) of the IVDP has set the benefício (production quota) for the next harvest unchanged at 110,000 pipas (casks of 550 litres) of most (before adding aguardente).
After two years of absence, the representatives of the producers (Casa do Douro) returned to the council. The representatives of the trade (AEVP) had suggested a reduction by 10,000 pipas but the president of the council supported the producers proposal not to lower the quota.

The development of the benefício has been as follows during the last few years:
2001: 154,000 pipas.
2002: 135,000 pipas or – 12.3%.
2003: 107,900 pipas or – 20.1%.
2004: 126,000 pipas or + 16.8%.
2005: 120,000 pipas or – 4.85%.
2006: 123,500 pipas or + 2.9%.
2007: 125,000 pipas or + 1%.
2008: 123,500 pipas or – 1.2%.
2009: 110,000 pipas or – 10.9%.
2010: 110,000 pipas.

Chocolates with 10 Years Old Tawny of Cálem.
07/08/10. Confeitaria Arcádia in Oporto has developed chocolates filled with the 10 Years Old Tawny of Cálem. The standard package is a box of 100 grams. The collective package contains four of these boxes. The images on these larger packs have been taken from the Port Wine industry depicting the Barcos Rabelos (the traditional boats for transport of the Port casks), the Ponte Luiz I (the bridge between Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia), large oak Port barrels and Quinta do Arnozelo (of Cálem).

The 100 grams box costs 8 Euros. The larger boxes cost 30 Euros.

This new product is available at all Arcádia points of sale, in the Cálem cellars and in the Sogevinus shop at the Avenida Ramos Pinto 280 (following the river quay in Vila Nova de Gaia).

Vintages 2008 (3).
07/08/10. The 2008 harvest will not produce a general declared Vintage. The large producers give preference to their Single Quinta Vintages or their second brands. So far the following products were announced (the additions are printed in italics):

Sogevinus (Cálem, Burmester, Gilbert’s, Barros, Kopke):
- Kopke Q. de São Luiz.

Sogrape (Ferreira, Offley, Sandeman):
- Geen Vintages 2008.

The Fladgate Partnership:
- Taylor's Quinta de Terra Feita.
- Taylor's Q. de Vargellas.
- Fonseca Guimaraens.
- Fonseca Q. do Panascal.
- Croft Q. da Roeda.

The Symington Family Estates:
For sale now:
- Dow's Q. da Senhora da Ribeira.
- Q. do Vesúvio.
Not for sale now:
- Dow's Q. do Bomfim.
- Graham's Q. dos Malvedos.
- Warre’s Q. da Cavadinha.

Others:
- Quinta do Portal.
- Quevedo Q. Vale d’Agodinho.
- Q. da Gaivosa (Domingos Alves de Sousa).
- Q. da Romaneira.
- Q. do Noval.
- Q. Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
- Cockburn's Q. dos Canais.
- Niepoort Pisca.
- Q. do Crasto.

Video about Q. da Romaneira.
07/08/10. Christian Seely and António Agrellos jointly made a video film in three parts about the vineyards and the winery of Quinta da Romaneira. The images are by Agrellos, the comments by Seely.
The results (one eight and two six minutes films) give an excellent view of the decline and the rebirth of this promising company.
See: http://www.christianseely.com/ (item of July 19^th).

IVDP events calendar as of August 2010.
07/08/10. At the moment no events have been planned by the Institututo dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto.

Revista de Vinhos no. 248, July 2010.
07/08/10. The July issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

Prémio Imagem Vinho:
For the nominees in the first edition of this contest for images and packaging see here.

New products of Winegrowers:
The Quinta da Gaivosa Vintage 2008 of Domingos Alves de Sousa got 17 points out of 20 in the article on the launches of the Independent Winegrowers Association.

IWC 2010 (2) - Trophy Winners.
07/08/10. On June 5^th we published the Gold Medal winners of the International Wine Challenge (see here). The following of them won a Trophy:
-      De LBV Port Trophy: Sogrape Regimental LBV (year?).
-      De Reserve Port Trophy: Fonseca Bin 27.
-      De Tawny Port Trophy: Sandeman 40 Years Old Tawny.
-      De White Port Trophy: C. da Silva Dalva Golden White 1963.
For more information see: http://internationalwinechallenge.com/trophies.aspx

Concurso de Vinhos ACIC 2010 - Portugal.
07/08/10. During the twelfth Concurso de Vinhos ACIC in Coïmbra, Portugal on June 8^th and 9^th a Gold Medal was awarded to the Quinta do Estanho 20 Years Old Tawny.
We did not succeed in finding out the number of entries (in 2009: 119).
For more information see: http://www.acic.pt/vinhos/

San Francisco International Wine Competition 2010.
07/08/10. During the thirtieth San Francisco International Wine Competition from June 18^th to 20^th Double Gold Medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      Quinta do Vesúvio Vintage 2007 (Symington).
-      Poças 1986 Tawny Port (Colheita?).
Q. do Vesúvio also won the Best Port Award and the Best of Nation Award.

The competition contained 3,897 entries (in 2009: 4,274) of which almost 75% won a medal.
The WAWWJ ranking of the SFIWC 2008 was 8,25 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.sfwinecomp.com/subresults.html

Concours International des Vins de Montagne 2010.
07/08/10. During the eighteenth Concours International des Vins de Montagne in Courmayeur, Italy from July 1^st to 3^rd a Silver Medal was granted to the Caves de Murça Vintage 2007 (Adega Cooperativa de Murça).
The competition contained 433 entries (in 2009: 508).
The Concours was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of the Concours in 2008 was 6,00 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.cervim.org/ultima-edizione-concorso.aspx

Concurso Internacional de Vinhos do Brasil 2010.
07/08/10. During the fifth Concurso Internacional de Vinhos do Brasil in Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil from July 5^th to 8^th the Reccua Ruby of Caves Vale do Rodo (Cooperativa Vitivinícola do Peso da Régua) won a Silver Medal.
The competition contained 457 entries.
The Concurso was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of the Concurso in 2008 was 8,10 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.enologia.org.br/one/gerenciador_arquivos/users/concursointernacional/V-CIVB-Folder-resultado-2010.pdf

RdeV Prémio Imagem Vinho 2010.
07/08/10. 116 nominees were selected from 233 entries in the first edition of this contest for images and packaging of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos. The Andresen 10 Years Old Tawny was nominated in the category labelled bottles.

Barco Rabelo Regatta 2010.
by our special reporter Axel Probst
03/07/10. This year the Fonseca boat, with an extremely funny captain David Guimaraens, won the Barco Rabelo Regatta. The Cálem boat finished second followed by Dow's.
Each year the regatta is organized by the Port Brotherhood in the estuary of the Douro river on Saint John's Day, June 24th. This tradition started twentyseven years ago.

I was sailing on the Sandeman boat which was in second position at the start right after the Fonseca boat, but unfortunately we finished ways behind.

Due to strong winds the race was very short (a little under one hour). Remarkably crashes were caused by the Malvedos boat, which did a literally 180 degrees turn and handicapped a couple of other boats with it.

Further noticeable was that Miguel Corte Real of Cockburn's was the only Director who was actually steering his boat and that Croft decided to put on a Pink sail this time.

Overall excellent conditions, no serious injuries and good fun.

New Port Wine Hostel in Oporto.
03/07/10. On April 15^th a hostel completely dedicated to Croft Ports was inaugurated in the centre of Oporto. The first floor has the theme the Ruby types, the second the Tawny’s and the third the Rosé and White varieties. The rooms have been decorated on the basis of Production, Maturing, Storing and Colour/Sweetness.
The hostel has ten rooms with a total of 45 beds.
Each day the organization offers presentations and tastings of the different Port wines, guided tours and many other surprises.
For more information see: http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Wine-Hostel/Porto/41438

New design for C. da Silva/Dalva.
03/07/10. The Portuguese Omdesign has made a complete new design for the bottles, labels, capsules and packaging of the Dalva Port wines of C. da Silva. Especially the higher, conical bottle is eye-catching. The new designs were already presented in Belgium and in Portugal during Essência do Vinho.

Cálem: Rosé Port in Braille.
03/07/10. In 2009 Sogevinus (also Barros and Burmester) already marketed a Rosé Port of Kopke. Calém now follows with a Rosé which attracts extra attention because the information on the labels has been produced in Braille too. This wine was made of grapes from Quinta do Arnozelo between S. João da Pesqueira and Vila Nova de Foz Côa in the Douro Superior.

Investments in Douro tourism.
03/07/10. On May 11^th 25 tourist projects in the Douro region were announced which qualified for financial support in the next 30 months within the framework of the Programa Operacional da Região Norte (ON.2 - The New North). The investment amounts to 32 million Euros of which 21 million come from the European Fund for Regional Development.

Some examples of these projects are:
-      The river quays with infrastructure in Pinhão.
-      Projects stimulating the river tourism.
-      Projects for tourist signposting.
-      The restoration of the historic village centre of Trevões (São João da Pesqueira).
-      The improvement of the Douro Valley Monuments Network.
-      A Miguel Torga museum in Sabrosa (a great writer of the region).
-      The Construction of a hotel and a Centre for Gastronomy and Wines of the Hotel and Tourism School in Lamego.

Sales numbers January - May 2010.
03/07/10. The sales results for the first five months of this year continue to be positive. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of January - March 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 5.9% (6.2%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 12.6% (16.7%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 3% (2.5%).
- the revenue of the Standard Ports sold increased by 4% (5.6%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 24.7% (30.3%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 36.9% (46.9%).

The complete information can be found at: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of July 2010.
03/07/10. At the moment no events have been planned by the Institututo dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto.

Revista de Vinhos no. 247, June 2010.
03/07/10. The only Port news in the June issue of the Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos concerns a new product. The Gran Cruz Reserve got 15 points out of 20 from the editorial staff.

Master of Port in France.
03/07/10. On June 6^th and 7^th the semi final and the final of the fourteenth edition of the Concours for the best French Sommelier in the field of Port Wine was organized in Paris. From eight finalists Fabrice Sommier, Chef Sommelier in Restaurant Georges Blanc á Vonnas (AIN), was the winning Master of Port.

This bi-annual contest is organized by the Syndicat des Grandes Marques de Porto in France and the Union de la Sommellerie Francaise. This edition was supported by Niepoort, Ramos Pinto, Andresen, Ferreira, Gran Cruz, Quinta do Noval, Rozès, Sandeman and Terras do Grifo.

The prize distribution took place in the Portuguese Embassy in the presence of among others the president of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP).

For more information see: http://www.masterofport.com/accueil.php

Concurso Nacional de Vinhos Engarrafados 2010.
03/07/10. During the fourth Concurso Nacional de Vinhos Engarrafados in Satarém, Portugal from May 12^th to 15^th four of the eleven Prestígio Awards were granted to the following Port products:
-      The Dalva Vintage 2007.
-      The Duorum Vintage 2007.
-      The Messias 40 Years Old Tawny.
-      The Quinta do Estanho 30 Years Old Tawny.
The competition contained 705 entries (in 2009: 518). The number of awards had been limited to 25%.
For more information and the other prizes see: http://cnema.pt/xms/files/Documentacao/2010/CNVE2010/Resultadosdefinitivos14junho.pdf

Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada 2010.
03/07/10. During the seventeenth Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada in Quebec from June 1^st to 6^th Gold Medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      The Barros Colheita 1997.
-      The Cálem 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      The Caves Santa Marta Reserva Ruby.
-      The Gran Cruz Vintage 2007.
-      The Kopke Colheita 1975.
The competition contained 1,789 entries (in 2009: 1,836) of which 25% won a medal.
The Sélection Mondiales 2010 was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of the Mondiales 2008 was 8,80 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.smvcanada.ca/index_en.html and
http://www.smvcanada.ca/resultats.aspx?L=E

Ultimate Wine Challenge 2010.
03/07/10. During the First Ultimate Wine Challenge in New York from June 7^th to 11^th the following five Ports reached the final:
-      The Croft 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      The Fonseca Terra Bella.*)
-      The Taylor Fladgate LBV 2003.
-      The Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve.
-      The Warre’s Otima 10 Years Old Tawny.
The Croft 10 Years Old Tawny won the Chairman’s Trophy with 96 points.
The competition contained nearly 500 entries.
For more information see: https://vng.ultimate-beverage.com/vng/vngResults.php?handle=UBC3
*) Terra Bella is the USA name for the Terra Prima, see our News item of 05/06/10: Fonseca: first full biological Port.

Vinagora 2010 - Hungary.
03/07/10. During the eleventh Vinagora International Wine Competition in Budapest, Hungary from June 17^th to 20^th a Gold Medal was awarded to the 20 Years Old Tawny of Casa de Santa Eufémia.
The competition contained 552 entries.
The Vinagora 2010 was under the patronage of the OIV (at the most 30% of the entries can win an award).
The WAWWJ ranking of the Vinagora 2008 was 8,00 out of 10.
For more information see: http://www.aborfesztival.hu/index.php?page=hir&id=94&a=0&lang=en

Jorge Moreira back at RCV.
05/06/10. Real Companhia Velha has named Jorge Moreira as technical director. Jerry Luper, the Australian winemaker who was the consultant of the company until now, was already preparing to retire.
In 2003 Moreira left RCV after having enjoyed working there very much for seven years. He had however decided that he needed to get involved in other projects in order to stimulate his own development. Pedro Silva Reis of RCV replied that the door remained open for him and Moreira still had the intention to return. At RCV Moreira will manage a team of winemakers with José Brites, Joaquim Trigo and Tiago Vidal.
See: http://www.realcompanhiavelha.pt/i_index.cfm

Already in 2001 Moreira bought a quinta in the Rio Pinhão valley in Provesende. He started his table wine project Poeira there. The quinta has 9 hectares vineyards, 2 hectares olives and 3 hectares forest.

In 2002 he began to work as the winemaker responsible for Quinta de la Rosa. After the purchase of a quinta in the Douro Superior by the Bergqvist family they jointly started a new table wine project. See our News item of 02/12/06: Q. de la Rosa buys Q. da Bandeira.

Upon a friends request in 2004 he got involved in the table wine project Sirga with the Serôdio Borges family of Q. do Requeijo. This quinta of 40 hectares is situated in Carrazeda de Ansiães at the boundary of the Cima Corgo and the Douro Superior.

In 2009 Moreira was chosen as winemaker of the year by the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos.

Moreira will continue to work for Q. de la Rosa and at his own Poeira project.

See also: http://www.poeira.pt/en

Vintages 2008 (2).
05/06/10. The 2008 harvest will not produce a general declared Vintage. The large producers give preference to their Single Quinta Vintages or their second brands. So far the following products were announced (the additions are printed in italics):

David Guimaraens, winemaker and technical director of the Fladgate Partnership, says in an aicep Portugal Global article of 22/04/10:
“It all began in 1992 when my father (passed away on 22/08/02) decided to convert a parcel of Quinta do Panascal into biological viniculture. The over the years gained experience allowed us to implement major changes in our traditional viniculture and to introduce sustainable viniculture in 2002.”
See also our News item of 06/06/09: Fladgate wins ecology award.

The Terra Prima can be tasted at Q. do Panascal and will be introduced first on the Portuguese market.

Big Fortified Tasting in Londen.
05/06/10. On April 19^th the first Big Fortified Tasting (BFT) was organized in London. The idea to do so was first raised in a conversation between Danny Cameron and wine buyer Tim French three years ago. The BFT was created to provide a platform for the world’s best fortified wines in a trade tasting environment. The event was organized by Danny Cameron and Ben Campbell-Johnston.
Important cooperation was given by the Madeira Institute (IVBAM), the Sherry Institute and the Port Wine institute (IVDP). 18 brands from the Port Wine industry were present, 12 brands from the Sherry industry and 6 brands from the Madeira industry. Furthermore 14 fortified wines were presented from Italia, France, Australia, California and Portugal.
The organizers hope to be able to make an annual event of this Big Fortified Tasting.
See also: http://www.thebft.co.uk/index.html

Preparations photo book Oporto and the Douro.
05/06/10. José Miguel Ferreira (Geneva, Switzerland) is producing a book of his photo series on Oporto and the Douro valley. Last year this series was exhibited at the Museu do Vinho do Porto in Oporto. This Spring an exhibition was planned at the Sant’Angelo gallery in Biella, Italy.

The book is entitled “The Port Wine Route”. The photos will be printed in the special Platinum/Palladium process. Publication is expected by Spring 2011. The ISBN number is not yet known. The retail price will be 30 Euros.

Ferreira is now looking for co producers and retailers.

For more information see:
http://www.jmf-photo.net//RVP.pdf for the catalogue.
http://www.jmf-photo.net/platinum-palladium-process-jmf.pdf for the Platinum/Palladium process.
http://www.jmf-photo.net for the website of Ferreira.
http://www.jmf-photo.net/Bio-jmf-eng.pdf for the biography of Ferreira.

Sales numbers January - March 2010.
05/06/10. The sales results for the first three months of this year continue to increase. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of January - February 2010):

- the volume of all Port sold increased by 6.2% (- 4.2%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 16.7% (8%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold increased by 2.5% (-9.9%).
- the revenu of the Standard Ports sold increased by 5.6% (- 7.1%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 30.3% (33%).
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 46.9% (48.8%).

The complete information can be found at: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of June 2010.
05/06/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in Portugal:

. June 5th-13th - Festival Nacional do Vinho - Centro Nacional de Exposições - Santarém.
. June 17th-20th - Oporto Show - Alfândaga do Porto.
. June 19th - Forum of Oenologists - Great Summer Dinner - Pousada do Port Freixo Palace Hotel - Oporto.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 246, May 2010.
05/06/10. The May issue of the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
The Morgadio da Calçada Vintage 2007, made by the Niepoort team, got 17 points out of 20 from the editorial staff.
The Dalva (C. da Silva) 20 Years Old Tawny scored also 17 points.

Moreira to RCV:
See our article: Jorge Moreira back at RCV.

New wine label competition.
05/06/10. The American company Balzac Communications and Marketing from Napa, California has taken the initiative to organize an annual international wine label design competition. The proceeds are for the Volunteer Center of Napa Valley. Entry is possible for labels designed in 2009 or 2010. The closing date for entering is July 15^th .
For more information see: http://www.iwldc.org/index.html

New wine competition in New York.
05/06/10. In March the new competition organization Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) started with the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. In April this was followed by the Ultimate Cocktail Challenge. Now registration has been opened for the Ultimate Wine Challenge from June 7^th to 11^th . The competitions are held at the Astor Center in New York.
UBC wants to create the highest standard possible for beverage evaluation. All beverages are presented in “flights” by type, region and varietal, at proper temperatures and served in glassware that is most appropriate to its specific classification.
The wine competition is open for all wines. UBC mediates for entrants who not yet have an importer in the USA.
See: http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/wine-contest/

WSA Wine Challenge 2010 - Singapore.
05/06/10. During the fourth WSA Wine Challenge prior to the eleventh Wine & Spirits Asia (both bi-annual) in Singapore on April 17^th and 18^th a Recommended Award was granted to the Ruby of Borges Vinhos.
The competition contained more than 470 entries (in 2008 more than 500).
For more information see: http://www.winespiritsasia.com/index.htm and http://www.winespiritsasia.com/pdfs/WSA%20Wine%20Challenge%202010%20Results.pdf

International Wine Challenge 2010.
05/06/10. During the 27^th English International Wine Challenge (IWC) from April 12^th to 23^rd Gold Medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      Sogrape Regimental LBV (year?).
-      Vallegre Vista Alegre LBV 2004 Unfiltered.
-      Quinta do Noval Colheita 1995.
-      Fonseca Bin 27.
-      Taylor’s Marks and Spencer Vintage 1994.
-      Sandeman 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      Sandeman 40 Years Old Tawny.
-      Smith Woodhouse LBV 1999 Bottle Matured.
-      C. Da Silva Dalva Golden White 1963.
The Trophies and other special awards will be announced later.
The organization does not actually give the total figure of entrants out but it is well over 10,000 different wines.
The WAWWJ ranking of the IWC 2008 was 8.00 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/Tradesearch.aspx and choose Style: Fortified and Country: Portugal.

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010.
05/06/10. During the seventeenth Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Palermo, Italy from April 23^rd to 25^th :

A Great Gold Medal was awarded to the Andresen 40 Years Old Tawny.

The Offley 20 Years Old Tawny won a Gold Medal.

The competition contained 6,964 entries (in 2009: 6,289).
The WAWWJ ranking of the Concours in 2008 was 8.70 out of 10.
For more information and the other medals see: http://www.concoursmondial.com/en/results-2.html

Decanter World Wine Awards 2010.
05/06/10. During the English Decanter World Wine Awards competition (DWWA) from April 26^th to 30^th Regional Trophies were granted to the following Port products:
-      The Sandeman Vintage 2007 won the “Vintage Port over £10 Trophy”.
-      The Taylor’s Marks & Spencer 20 Years Old Tawny won the “Tawny Port over £10 Trophy”.
-      The Warre’s LBV 2000 won the “Port over £10 Trophy”.
The competition contained 10,983 entries (in 2009: 10,285).
The WAWWJ ranking of the DWWA 2008 was 8.00 out of 10.
For more information and the many other awards see: http://www.decanter.com/worldwineawards/2010/results.php and choose Search by location: Portugal, Port and the award type.

International Wine and Spirit Competition 2010.
05/06/10. During the English International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) Gold Medals (Best in Class) were awarded to the following Port products:
-      Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage 1999.
-      Cruz LBV 2001.
-      Cockburn’s Q. dos Canais Vintage 2007.
-      Sandeman Vintage 2007.
-      Sandeman 20 Years Old Tawny.
-      Offley 30 Years Old Tawny.
The Product Trophies will be announced in October and the Individuals and Producer Trophies on November 17^th .

The entry numbers are still unknown because the competition for the southern hemisphere is not yet closed.
The WAWWJ ranking of the IWSC 2008 was 8.00 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.iwsc.net/search/fortified-wine/ and choose Category: Port.

Liquorland International Wine Competition 2010.
05/06/10. During the Liquorland International Wine Competition in New Zealand from May 3^rd to 5^th Bronze Medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      The Dow’s 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      The Dow’s Ruby.
-      The Sandeman LBV 2004.
-      The Taylor’s First Estate Reserve.
We did not succeed to find out the number of entries.
For more information and the other medals see: http://www.wineshow.co.nz/WineShowPublicResults.asp?PublicShow=3&PublicShowYear=2010

World LifeStyle - Portugal 2010.
05/06/10. The winners of the Prémio das Marcas de Excelência e Prestígio, Socialmente Responsáveis were presented in the Casino of Estoril from May 15th to 18th . The award in the category Port Wine went to Ramos Pinto. The choise was made by a Comissão de Honra in which the result of a public voting participated for one vote.
For more information see: http://www.worldlifestyle.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126&Itemid=97

Vintages 2008.
01/05/10. The 2008 harvest will not produce a general declared Vintage. The large producers especially choose for their Single Quinta Vintages or their second brands. So far the following products were announced:

The Fladgate Partnership:
- Taylor's Quinta de Terra Feita.
- Taylor's Q. de Vargellas.
- Fonseca Guimaraens.
- Fonseca Q. do Panascal.
- Croft Q. da Roeda.

The Symington Family Estates:
- Dow's Q. do Bomfim.
- Dow's Q. da Senhora da Ribeira.
- Graham's Q. dos Malvedos.
- Q. do Vesúvio.

Others:
- Q. Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
- Cockburn's Q. dos Canais.
- Niepoort Pisca.
- Q. do Crasto.

Maynard’s: a new Port brand.
01/05/10. On April 19^th the Port brand Maynard’s was presented in London. This launch is an initiative of the brothers Fernando (now Barão de Vilar) and Álvaro van Zeller (both are ex-owner of Quinta do Noval) and Tiago Trigo (ex Sogrape and Taylor’s). The brand Maynard’s is owned by Barão de Vilar (in 1996 founded by Fernando van Z.). The stocks of this Port house will be used for the wines of the new brand. Six Maynard’s Ports were presented in London: a Ruby, a Reserve Ruby, a LBV 2005, a 10 Years Old Tawny, a 20 Years Old Tawny a Vintage 2007. Tiago Trigo is the manager of the new brand.

Walter Maynard is the name of one of the oldest wine merchants to have shipped Port back in 1652, before any of the British Port shippers were founded. He was appointed Consul by his brother, who was Ambassador in Lisbon. The family link with the Van Zellers comes through Dorothea Augusta Kopke, who was his great-great-grand-daughter.

In 2010 the new brand will be introduced in six key markets by means of guided plans (UK, USA, Portugal, France, The Netherlands and Brazil). In Asia the brand will be presented at the Vinexpo Asia Pacific in Hongkong from May 25^th to 27^th .
Barão de Vilar hopes to have doubled its trade in Special Category Ports in 2015.

New design for Churchill wines.
01/05/10. Churchill Graham has called in the London-based design group Interbrand for a full update of its image. The group was chosen after extensive comparison with three other design groups.

New is, amongst other things, a picture in black-and-white, inspired on aerial photos of the Douro valley, which is used for labels and boxes.

Also new are the 50 cl bottles for the White Port and the 10 and 20 Years Old Tawnies. This size was chosen following extensive research amongst major clients in the restaurant and hotel sectors who would welcome this bottle size because they would make their work easier.
The existing clear 50 cl botle for the Dry White Port was retained.

The next step is that the Portuguese web designer Miguel Salazar makes a new design for the Churchill website. It is expected that the new site will be ready in June.

Tasting Warre’s Ports by Axel Probst.
01/05/10. Tom Archer organized a large tasting of Warre’s Ports in London in October 2009. Recently Axel Probst of www.worldofport.de published a report on it (in German) with a good introduction and tasting notes of the:
-      Warrior.
-      LBV’s 1995, 1999 and 2000.
-      Ótima’s 10 and 20 Years Old Tawnies.
-      Colheitas 1882, 1937, 1972, 1986, 1992 and 1997.
-      Vintages 1945, 1947, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2007.
-      Quinta de Cavadinha Vintages 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2005.
His report can be found at: http://worldofport.com/Download/World_of_Port-Warre_Ports.pdf

Noval Black: a new Reserve Ruby.
01/05/10. For the time being only in the USA, Quinta do Noval (QdoN) has marketed a new Reserve Ruby instead of the Noval LB. The design of the bottle is eye-catching in form and colour (see photo).

Christian Seeley of QdoN said in the press release:
“I have always wanted to make a Port wine that would be a clear expression of the Noval style, easily accessible as a wine that could be poured by the glass, no aging and no decanting necessary. No complications, just a great glass of Port.”
“Over the past 15 years, Quinta do Noval has undertaken a huge program of replanting its historic vineyard, all with the noble varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, and others. The result of this work has been coming on stream for the past few years, providing a wealth of superb fruit to choose from each harvest. This fruit is the foundation for Quinta do Noval’s legendary Vintage Ports, and in non-declared years will enable it to produce this fresh, fruit-driven Premium Port.”

The first tasting notes which have appeared on this new Reserve Ruby speak about an excellent Port which is better than its former one the Noval LB.

QdoN has created a separate website for the Noval Black: http://novalblack.com/ This site will be extended yet.

Sales numbers January - February 2010: surprising increase.
01/05/10. The sales results for the first two months of this year are surprising. Indeed, the sales of the Standard Ports decreased, but the figures of the Special Categories/Premium Ports increased enormously. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) are as follows (between brackets the figures of the entire year 2009):

- the volume of all Port sold decreased by 4.2% (- 6.3%).
- the revenue of all Port sold increased by 8% (- 6.3%).

- the volume of the Standard Ports sold decreased by 9.9% (- 5.2%).
- the revenu of the Standard Ports sold decreased by 7.1% (- 4.3%).

- the volume of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 33% (- 11%). Here Denmark with + 867.9%, Japan with + 172.6%, Poland with + 122.3% and Russia with + 409.7% are striking.
- the revenue of the Special Categories/Premium Ports sold increased by 48,8% (- 10.2%). Here Denmark with + 1.393.7%, the UK with + 189.4% and Russia with + 151.8% shine.

The complete information can be found at: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of May 1^st .
01/05/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in Brasil, England, France, Portugal and Spain:

Brazil:
. May 19th - Great Tasting of Douro and Port Wines - Hotel Pestana Rio Atlântica - RJ.
. May 20th - Commentated Tasting / Harmonizing Dinner - Restaurant Terzetto, Leblon - Rio de Janeiro.
. May 24th - Great Tasting of Douro and Port Wines - Naoum Plaza Hotel - Brasília.
. May 25th - Commentated Tasting / Harmonizing Dinner - Restaurant Oliver - Brasília.

England:
. May 18th-20th - LIWF London International Wine Fair - London.

France:
. May 17th-21st - Hotel School Lycée Belliard - Paris.

Portugal:
. June 19th - Forum of Oenologists - Great Summer Dinner - Pousada do Port Freixo Palace Hotel - Oporto.

Spain:
. May 12th - Port Wine Seminary - Restaurant Casa Solla - Pontevedra.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 245, April 2010.
01/05/10. The April issue of the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
The Morgadio da Calçado (Villa Boas family, Provezende) Colheita 1998, made by the Niepoort team, got 17 points out of 20 from the editorial staff.
The Kopke Colheita 1999 scored 16 points.

Viniculture Fladgate Partnership:
Samuel Alemão describes the new model viniculture of this group with the brands Taylor’s, Fonseca and Croft. In May 2009 this model won the Premio BES Diversidade (see our News item of 06/06/09: Fladgate wins ecology award.

New attractions Q. do Portal:
From next summer Quinta do Portal will open its new wine warehouses in Celeirós do Douro to the public. The complex was designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Around that time the auditorium will also be inaugurated. The new restaurant will be open for all visitors, not only for guests and groups.

Election 7 Wonders of Nature of Portugal.
01/05/10. The Douro valley is one of the 21 finalists of the election of the 7 Wonders of Nature of Portugal. In the category ‘Watery area, no coasts’ this river has to compete against Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Portas de Ródão.

The contest started on December 7^th 2009 with a longlist of 323 candidates. Before February 7^th 2010, a panel of 77 specialists chose 77 candidates out of it (11 for all 7 categories). Then a panel of 21 dignitaries chose the 21 finalists. From March 7^th to September 7^th 2010, the public can vote by phone, by SMS or online. See: http://www.7maravilhas.sapo.pt/#/pt/votacao

This election of the 7 Portuguese Wonders of Nature was made possible by a licence of the organization of the New7Wonders. See: http://www.new7wonders.com/en/index/ and our News item of 05/09/09: Douro in “New 7 Wonders of Nature”.

Nominees World Travel Awards 2010.
01/05/10. The Aquapura Douro Valley Hotel has been nominated for a World Travel Award in the following four categories:
-      Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel.
-      Europe’s Leading Hotel.
-      Europe’s Leading New Spa Hotel.
-      Portugal’s Leading Hotel.

Hotel Romaneira dos Sonhos has been nominated in the category Portugal’s Leading Boutique Hotel.

See: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees2010-8

Voting is possible until September 10^th .
The presentation of the winners will be in Antalya, Turkey on October 1^st .

Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2010.
01/05/10. During the 26^th Dallas Morning News Wine Competition from February 1^st to 2^nd silver medals were awarded to the following Port products of Osborne:
-      The 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      The LBV 2003.
We did not succeed to find out the number of entries (in 2009: 3.146).
For more information and the other medals see: http://www.enofileonline.com/searchawards.aspx

Monde Sélection 2010 - Belgium.
01/05/10. Monde Sélection in Wauthier-Braine-Belgium organized in Brussels on March 25^th and 26^th its Concours International des Vins 2010.

The Vallegre Vista Alegre Colheita 1997 won a Double Gold Medal.
Gold medals went to:
- The Rozès Infanta Isabel 10 Years Old Tawny.
- The Vallegre Vista Alegre LBV 2004.
05/06/10. The competition contained 402 entries of which 30.1% won medals (in 2009: 401).
The Concours was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of the Concours in 2008 was 4,60 out of 10.
For more information and the other medals see: http://www.monde-selection.com/en/7.0_Awards_Results/7.2_International_Wine_Contest/7.2.4_Results_2010/7.2.4_Wine_Results_2010.asp

Wine Masters Challenge 2010 - Estoril.
01/05/10. During the twelfth Wine Masters Challenge (WMC) in Estoril, Portugal from April 8^th to 11^th gold medals were awarded to the following Rozès Port products:
-      The Quinta do Pêgo LBV 2005.
-      The Quinta do Pêgo Vintage 2007.
The competition contained 4,497 entries, (in 2009: 4,188). 3,751 wines of these got through to the finals. Only 258 wines won a medal (or not yet 6%).
The WAWWJ ranking of the WMC 2008 was 6,75 out of 10.
For more information and the other medals see: http://www.winemasterschallenge.com/pt/prem.html

Challenge International du Vin 2010 - Bordeaux.
01/05/10. During the 34^th Challenge International du Vin in Bourg & Blaye on April 16^th and 17^th gold medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      The (Wiese and) Krohn Colheita 1967.
-      The Vallegre Vista Alegre Vintage 2007.
-      The Sandeman 10, 20 and 40 Years Old Tawnies.
05/06/10. The competition contained 4,435 entries of which 27.5% won medals (in 2009: 4.721).
The WAWWJ ranking of the Challenge 2008 was 8,40 out of 10.
For more information and the other medals see: http://www.challengeduvin.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&tmpl=recherche-en&annee=2010&Itemid=52 and choose Europe: Portugal and Apellation: DOC. PORTO.

Delayed publications.
03/04/10. I would like to apologize for not publishing early February and early March. I overestimated my possibilities in combination with two intensive holidays and an unplanned hospital stay (everything is OK again, thanks). On March 19^th I started with some older stuff that has now moved to News Archives 2010. Now on April 3^rd I publish more current news and I hope to have eliminated all arrears by May 1^st .

Dutch supermarkets abuse Port Wine.
03/04/10. The AEVP (the organization of large shippers) and the IVDP (the government institute for Port and Douro wines) have complained to the authorities in The Hague and Brussels about the knock-down prices for Port in the Dutch supermarkets. They fear the same destiny as the sherry producers had. The organizations say that the protected Douro valley with its forty thousand farmers is threatened. Dutch supermarkets, as the only ones to dos so in Europe, would use Port to bait customers and offer it below the minimum cost price of a little over 4 Euros. The image of Port would suffer a loss because of this.

At the moment Albert Heijn (Ahold) and Aldi sell their basic Ruby Port for 3.49 Euros. Until late last year they went even as low as 2.99 Euros. AH is selling the Euroshopper Ruby of the Symington group which is of good, constant quality. At Aldi it concerns variable brands of variable quality.

By the way, we saw the same phenomenon in Portugal in January. In the East Algarve Lidl sold a Tawny for 3.39 Euros, a White for 3.89 Euros and a Ruby for 3.99 Euros.
(Source: De Volkskrant of 26/02/10.)

Sales numbers entire 2009 (2).
03/04/10. On March 19^th we published the most important sales numbers for 2009 (see here). Now we give a survey of the numbers of the most important countries:

The top seven in volume for all Port sold were:
1.    France 29.5%; -1.2%.
2.    Netherlands 13.5%; -17.2%.
3.    Portugal 13.2%; -12%.
4.    Belgium 12.5%; -4.1%.
5.    United Kingdom 11%; +0.9%.
6.    Germany 5.3%; +2.5%.
7.    United States 3.8%; -15.1%.

The top seven in revenue for all Port sold were:
1.    France 24.7%; -1.4%.
2.    Portugal 14.7%; -13.1%.
3.    United Kingdom 11.8%; +5%.
4.    Netherlands 11.3%; -17.5%.
5.    Belgium 10.9%; -4.3%.
6.    United States 6.2%; -11.6%.
7.    Germany 4.5%; -3.6%.

The top seven in volume for the Special Categories/Premium Ports were:
1.    United Kingdom 32.03%; -1.4%.
2.    France 13.61%; -13.7%.
3.    United States 12.15%; -16.7%.
4.    Portugal 10.96%; -8.8%.
5.    Canada 8.61%; -6.5%.
6.    Netherlands 5.65%; -35.8%.
7.    Belgium 4.29%; -7.3%.

The top seven in revenue for the Special Categories/Premium Ports were:
1.    United Kingdom 23%; +5.2%.
2.    Portugal 15.3%; -13.4%.
3.    United States 13.87%; -13.5%.
4.    France 11.93%; -11.2%.
5.    Canada 9.89%; -8.6%.
6.    Netherlands 5.73%; -35.2%.
7.    Belgium 4.39%; -9.5%.

For more information see: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of April 3rd 2010.
03/04/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in Brasil, Hong Kong, Spain and the USA:

Brasil:
. April 16th - Port and Douro Wines Seminary - Curitiba.
. April 19th - Great Tasting of Douro and Port wines - Hotel Pestana - Curitiba.
. April 22nd - Great Tasting of Douro and Port wines - Hotel Unique - São Paulo.
. April 23rd - Port and Douro Wines Seminary - Restaurant Ávila - São Paulo.
. May 12th - Port Wine Seminary - Restaurant Casa Solla - Pontevedra.
. May 19th - Great Tasting of Douro and Port wines - Hotel Pestana Rio Atlântico - Rio de Janeiro.
. May 20th - Commentated Tasting / Harmonizing Dinner - Restaurant Terzetto - Leblon - Rio de Janeiro.
. May 24th - Commentated Tasting / Harmonizing Dinner - Restaurant Oliver - Brasília.
. May 24th - Commentated Tasting / Harmonizing Dinner - Naoum Plaza Hotel - Brasília.

Hong Kong:
. May 25th-27th - Vinexpo Hong Kong.

Spain:
. April 7th - Port Wine Seminary - Restaurant La Terraza del Casino - Madrid.

USA:
. April 13th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Arts Institute of New York City - New York - 6 p.m.
. April 14th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Culinary Institute of America - Hyde Park - New York - 3.30 p.m.
. April 14th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Culinary Institute of America Wine Club - Hyde Park - New York.
. April 16th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Lincoln Culinary Institute - Hartford Campus - Connecticut - 11.30 a.m.
. April 16th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Lincoln Culinary Institute - Hartford Campus - Connecticut - 1 p.m.
. April 19th - Seminary Hotel Schools - French Culinary Institute of New York - New York - 3.30 p.m.

See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?content=eventos

Revista de Vinhos no. 244, March 2010.
03/04/10. The March issue of the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
The Andresen 20 Years Old Tawny got 17.5 points out of 20 from the editorial staff and was chosen as one of the six Selections of the Month.

Quinta Terra:
António Falcão describes this quinta belonging to Celso Pereira and Jorge Alves (also winemaker of Q. do Tedo). Q. Terra produces Port Wine too, but the article makes no mention of this.

Restaurant CP:
Luis Antunes visited restaurant and shop Castas & Pratos in Peso da Régua. CP is situated at the Rua José Vasques Osório between the Douro and the railway. He rewards the room and the kitchen with a plus and the details of the dishes and the price of some wines with a minus.

AWC Vienna 2009.
03/04/10. During the sixth International Wine Challenge AWC in Vienna, Austria Vallegre won gold medals for the following Port products:
-      Vista Alegre Colheita 1995.
-      Vista Alegre LBV 2004.
-      Vista Alegre Vintage 2006.
The competition contained 9,164 entries.
The WAWWJ ranking of the AWC 2008 was 6.50 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: https://www2.awc-vienna.at/cgi-bin/awc/ergebnisse/ergebnisse.cgi

Vancouver Magazine International Wine Competition 2010.
03/04/10. During the sixth VMIWC a Vancouver Magazine Wine Award was granted to the Dow’s LBV 2003.
The competition contained over 800 entries.
The WAWWJ ranking of the VMIWC 2008 was 6.00 from 10.
For more information see: http://www.vanmag.com/entertainment/Vancouver_Magazine_Wine_Awards_2010

Berliner Wein Trophy 2010.
03/04/10. During the fourteenth Berliner Wein Trophy (BWT) from February 4^th to 7^th Berliner Gold Awards were granted to the:
-      Cálem LBV 2000.
-      Cálem Velhotes Tawny.
-      Dacosta LBV 2003 (Cálem).
-      Dacosta Special Reserve (Cálem).
We did not succeed to find out the number of entries (in 2009: 3.152).
The BWT 2010 was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of the BWT 2008 was 5,00 out of 10.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.berliner-wein-trophy.de/ergebnisse_2010.aspx?lang=en

Revista Wine: Top 100 of 2009.
03/04/10. Every month the Portuguese magazine Revista Wine of Essência do Vinho publishes a Top 100. Once a year, in February, the magazine presents a Top 100 of the entire year. At the top of the 2009 list we find the 2007 Vintages of Dow’s and Fonseca both with 19.5 points. Fourth is the 2007 Vintage of Graham’s with 19 points.
For the complete list see: http://www.essenciadovinho.com/revistawine/img/top100/1/W-MELHORESDOANO-top100.pdf

Vinalies Internationales 2010.
03/04/10. During the Vinalies Internationales (VI) in Paris from February 26^th to March 2^nd gold medals were awarded to the following Port products:
-      Barão de Vilar LBV 2003.
-      Barão de Vilar LBV 2005.
-      Ferreira 20 Years Old Tawny.
-      Ferreira LBV 2005.
-      Ferreira Reserva Dona Antonia.
-      Sandeman LBV 2004.
-      Sandeman 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      Sandeman 20 Years Old Tawny.
-      Rozès Terras do Grifo Vintage 2007.
-      CCVP Vasconcellos Vintage 2003.
-      Vallegre Vista Alegre Colheita 1997.
The VI is organized by L’Union des Oenologes de France.
The competition contained some 3,000 entries (in 2009: almost 3,500)
The VI 2010 was under the patronage of the OIV.
The WAWWJ ranking of the VI 2008 was 8,90 out of 10.
More information and the other medals can be found at: http://www.vinalies-internationales.com/en/resultats-vinalies-internationales.php?langue=en and chose Country: Portugal and Appellation: DOC porto.

Essência do Vinho 2010.
03/04/10. During the seventh Essência do Vinho in Porto from March 4^th to 7^th a Top 10 of Portuguese wines was chosen by an international jury. They judged 41 wines which were preselected by the tasting panel of the magazine WINE and Essência do Vinho. On the list we find the Warre’s Vintage 2007 as the only Port Wine.
For more information see: http://www.essenciadovinho.com/wine/img/download/TOP102010ResultadoFinal.pdf

The magazine WINE also chose jointly with Essência do Vinho some Best of the Year. From the Port industry:
-      David Guimaraens (The Fladgate Partnership-Taylor’s etc.) was Wine Personality of the Year.
-      Niepoort was Producer of the Year.
-      The Vintages 2007 of Fonseca and Dow’s were the Best Wines of the Year.
See also: http://www.essenciadovinho.com/default.php?lingua=1

San Diego International Wine Competition 2010.
03/04/10. During the 27^th SDIWC of Robert Whitley on March 20 and 21 a gold medal was awarded to the Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve.
The competition contained nearly 2,000 entrie.
For more information see: http://www.sdiwc.com/results_sd.html

Publications.
19/03/10. I would like to apologize for not publishing here early February and early March. I overestimated my possibilities in combination with two intensive holidays and an unplanned hospital stay (everything is OK again, thanks). Now I am starting with some older stuff and I hope to be able to publish more current news in the weekend of April 3^rd and 4^th .

Roy Hersh: 2007 Vintages.
19/03/10. On November 28th 2009 Roy Hersh published his forecast for the 2007 Vintages for subscribers. Now the article is also available for free. As always he made an excellent paper with a good introduction, 63 tasting notes and comments of twelve winemakers. His Top 10 is lead by Quinta do Noval with 97-99+ points followed by Niepoort and Q. do Vale Meão with 96-98+ points both.
The article can be found at: http://www.fortheloveofport.com/vintage-port-forecasts/2007-vintage-port-forecast

Large 2007 Vintage presentation in Leverkusen.
19/03/10. On February 12^th Axel Probst of www.worldofport.de organized jointly with the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) a large presentation of 47 Vintages 2007 in Leverkusen, Germany. Besides the Vintages most brands also entered LBV’s. Over ten prominent producers were present in person.
About 80 sommeliers, restaurant owners and trade representatives visited the official part. Some 40 guests visited the public part. According to Axel this last number could have been higher. He hopes to be able to organize such an event another time again.

Revista de Vinhos: “The Best of the Year 2009”:
19/03/10. The editors of the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos have published their choice of “The Best of the Year 2009” in the no. 243 issue of February 2010. The following awards were granted to the Port Wine industry:
-      Company of the Year for fortified wines: Symington Family Estates (Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s, etc.).
-      Winemaker of the Year: Jorge Moreira (Quinta de la Rosa and the Poeira project).
-      Winemaker of the Year for fortified wines: Luís Sottomayor (Ferreira/Sogrape).
-      Organization of the Year: Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto.
-      Wine tourism of the Year: Q. do Portal.
-      Mister Wine: George Sandeman (Sogrape).
-      Excellent Awards: Dalva Golden White Colheita Branco 1952 (C. da Silva), Dow’s Vintage 2007, Fonseca Vintage 2007, Graham’s Vintage 2007, Messias Colheita 1963, Q. do Vesúvio Vintage 2007, Q. do Noval Vintage 2007 and Taylor’s Vintage 2007.
-      Best of the Port region Awards: Croft Vintage 2007, Dalva By Rui Paula Colheita 1967 (see RdeV no. 242), Dalva Golden White Colheita Branco 1963, Ferreira Vintage 2007, Kopke Vintage 2007, Krohn Vintage 2007, Niepoort Vintage 2007, Wine & Soul Pintas Vintage 2007, Q. da Romaneira Vintage 2007, Q. do Vesúvio Capela Vintage 2007, Sandeman Vintage 2007 and Warre’s Vintage 2007.
-      Best Buy Awards: Monge 10 Years Old Tawny (Adega Cooperativa de Favaios), Cockburn’s 10 Years Old Tawny, Andresen 10 Years Old Tawny, Q. do Noval LBV 2004 Unfiltered, Q. do Bucheiro 10 Years Old Tawny and Warre’s Optima 10 Years Old Tawny.

New board AEVP.
19/03/10. On January 22^nd the new board of the Associação das Empresas de Vinho do Porto (the organization of large shippers) took office. The term will be from 2010 to 2012. Resigning president was George Sandeman. The constitution of the new board is:
Assembleia Geral:
Presidente: José Fernando Leite Falcão Carneiro, Wiese & Krohn, Sucrs, LDA.
Secretário: Fernando Pinto, Caves Vale do Rodo, CRL.
Secretário: Carlos Alberto Costa, Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges, S.A.
Direcção:
Presidente: António Fernando da Cunha Saraiva, Rozès S.A.
Vogal: José Teles Dias da Silva, Niepoort Vinhos S.A.
Vogal: Francisco Tovar, Quinta & Vineyard Bottlers - Vinhos S.A. (Fladgate Partnership)
Vogal: José Eduardo Ribeiro Alves, Sogevinus Fine Wines, S.A.
Vogal: George T.D. Sandeman, Sogrape Vinhos, S.A.
Vogal: António Jorge Marquez Filipe, Symington Family Estates - Vinhos S.A.
Conselho Fiscal:
Presidente: Acácio Poças Maia, Manoel D. Poças Júnior - Vinhos S.A.
Vogal: Jorge Dias, Gran Cruz Porto - Sociedade Comercial de Vinhos, LDA.
Vogal: Carlos Albino Rezende Flores dos Santos, J.H. Andresen, Sucrs, LDA.
Directora Executiva: Maria Isabel M.Q. Sousa Cardoso Fernandes Marrana.

New board Confraria do VdoP.
19/03/10. On January 29^th the new board of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto (the Port Wine Brotherhood) was elected. The term also runs from 2010 to 2012. Resigning Chancelar was Dr. Francisco de Olazabal who had completed his third period. The constitution of the new board is:
Chancelaria:
Chancelar: George Thomas David Sandeman.
Almoxarife: António Manuel de Macedo Pinto e Vasconcelos.Copeiro-Mor: David Bruce Fonseca Guimaraens.
Almotacé: Jorge Chamis Rosas.
Fiel das Usanças: Manuel Maria Matos de Magelhães Ferreira.
Mesa de Vedores:
Acacio Manuel Poças Maia.
João Manuel Maia de Almeida Barros.
José Carvalho de Gouveia.

Sales numbers entire 2009.
19/03/10. Influenced by the worldwide crisis the sales numbers of the entire year 2009 are not good. The latest numbers (export + Portugal) of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto are as follows (between brackets the numbers of January to November 2009):

-         the volume of all Port sold decreased by 6.3% (6.9%).
-         the revenue of all Port sold decreased by 6.3% (6.2%).

-         the volume of the Special Categories sold decreased by 11% (10.1%).
-         the revenue of the Special Categories sold decreased by 10.2% (9.7%).

The complete information can be found at:
http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=73&codSeccao=6&idioma=0

IVDP events calendar as of March 18^th 2010.
19/03/10. The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto has planned the following events in Brasil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain and the USA:

Brasil:
. April 19th - Great Tasting of Douro and Port wines - Hotel Pestana - Curitiba.
. April 22nd - Great Tasting of Douro and Port wines - Hotel Unique - São Paulo.

France:
. March 23rd - Hotel Schools - Lycée Storck - Strasbourg.

Germany:
. March 21st-23rd - Prowein - Dusseldorf.

Hong Kong:
. May 25th-27th - Vinexpo Hong Kong.

Spain:
. March 22nd-26th - Alimentaria Espanha - Barcelona.

USA:
. April 13th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Arts Institute of New York City - New York - 6 p.m.
. April 14th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Culinary Institute of America - Hyde Park - New York - 3.30 p.m.
. April 14th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Culinary Institute of America Wine Club - Hyde Park - New York.
. April 16th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Lincoln Culinary Institute - Hartford Campus - Connecticut - 11.30 a.m.
. April 16th - Seminary Hotel Schools - Lincoln Culinary Institute - Hartford Campus - Connecticut - 1 p.m.
. April 19th - Seminary Hotel Schools - French Culinary Institute of New York - New York - 3.30 p.m.

Revista de Vinhos no. 242, January 2010.
19/03/10. The January issue of the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos contains the following information on Port Wine:

New products:
-      The Dalva By Rui Paula Colheita 1967 (C. Da Silva) scored 17.5 points. Paula, the cooking star of restaurant D.O.C. in Folgosa, made up this colheita from the best cask matured Dalva Ports from the year 1967. See: http://www.cdasilva.pt/cgi-bin/index.php?page=dalvacolheita
-      The Dalva Golden White Colheita Branco 1963 scored 18 points.
-      The Dalva Golden White Colheita Branco 1952 scored 19 points.
-      The Quinta da Romaneira LBV 2004 unfiltered scored 16 points.

Interview Peter Symington:
João Paulo Martins and Luís Lopes interviewed this famous winemaker on the occasion of his retirement. Amongst other things he says:
-      At the moment Quinta do Vesúvio is the only spot where we make all wine in lagars, but it is almost undoable.
-      Contrary to what you could think, we rarely put work into a Vintage, only when making a lot.
-      These days we have a larger choice (in aguardente) but I think that one has to maintain the neutral character of the grape, the wine must have the characteristics of the grape and there must not be other additional aromas of the aguardente.
-      In the future the value of a quinta will show itself by means of its strength for Port and table wines; I do not see that these two matters are incompatible.
-      Now I can be more available for the Junta Consultiva do Vinho do Porto where very interesting work is presenting itself. The relation between the tasters of the Institute and the oenologists of the houses has become much better.

Cálem 150 year; new Reserve:
João Geirinhas wrote about the 150^th jubilee of Cálem. At this opportunity the Cálem Very Old Special Reserve (150^th anniversary) was launched. Luís Lopes judged this Reserve with 18 points.

Revista de Vinhos no. 243, February 2010.
19/03/10. Besides “The Best of the Year” (see above) the February issue of the Portuguese magazine Revista de Vinhos contains tasting notes of two new products, both of Quinta das Lamelas of J.A. Fonseca Augusto Guedes. The Tawny Reserva got 14.5 points and the 10 Years Old Tawny got 15.5 points out of a possible 20.

WAWWJ: ranking of competition results 2009.
19/03/10. The World Association of Wine and Spirit Writers and Journalists has started to publish its annual rankings. This system only classifies participators of competitions. The WAWWJ does not make any comments on the results and does not judge the wineries that do not participate in the contests.

The ranking by country is lead by the USA with 48,018 points, followed by Spain with 46,030 and Australia with 26,272 points.
Portugal is eighth with 11,721 points.
See: http://www.wawwj.com/2010/ran_pais_en.php

In the ranking of the 100 best wineries in the world we find Sogrape (including Ferreira, Offley and Sandeman) in second place. The company participated in six competitions, won 72 awards and scored 1,547 points according to the wawwj ranking.
See: http://www.wawwj.com/2010/ran_bgas_en.php

In the ranking of the 100 best wines in the world we find the following Ports:
- 55^th : Vallegre Vista Alegre Vintage 2006 with participation in 3 competitions, 3 awards and 104 points.
- 57^th : Sandeman 20 Years Old Tawny with participation in 4 competitions, 4 awards and also 104 points.
See: http://www.wawwj.com/2010/ran_vinos_en.php

The ranking of this years selected competitions will be published at a later date.

Fortified Wine Challenge 2009.
19/03/10. The awards of their first Fortified Wine Challenge were published in the November/December issue of the magazine Drinks International. Gold medals went to:
-      The Borges Ronção 20 Years Old Tawny and
-      The Quinta do Noval Colheita 1995.
The competition contained 33 entries.
For more information and the other awards see: http://www.drinksint.com/cp/18/DI_Fortified_Wine_Challenge_2009_results.pdf

Internationaler Bio-Weinpreis Mundusvini Biofach 2010.
19/03/10. During the First International Organic Wine Awards Competition of fair organization Biofach and MUNDUSvini/Meiniger Verlag in Neustadt/Weinstrasse, Germany on December 8^th Arlindo da Costa Pinto e Cruz won three awards for his Port products:
-      Gold for the Casal dos Jordões 10 Years Old Tawny.
-      Silver for the Casal do Jordões LBV 2004 and the CJ Majara Finest Reserve.
The competition contained 622 entries.
For more information see: http://www.biofach.de/en/highlights/wine/

Election posters/labels Ramos Pinto.
19/03/10. From September 1^st 2009 Ramos Pinto has organized an election for a poster and label illustration. Four designs from the period 1908 to 1926 could be voted. The winner was A Tentação de Santo Antão, of Leopold Metlicowitz, from 1908. The image will be used for the 2008 collection.
For more information see: http://blog.ramospinto.pt/view?id=40

India Wine Challenge 2010.
19/03/10. During the third India Wine Challenge of Taste Expo in January Vallegre Vinhos performed well. The company won the following awards:
-      Gold Medal & Fortified Wine Trophy for the Vista Alegre Vintage 2007.
-      Gold Medal for the Vista Alegre 30 Years Old Tawny.
-      Silver Medal for the Vista Alegre Colheita 1997.
-      Bronze Medal for the Vista Alegre LBV 2004 Unfiltered.
The competition contained 220 entries.
For more information see: http://www.taste-expo.com/iwc-2010-winners.php

Portuguese Tourism Awards 2009.
19/03/10. On January 13^th the awards of the fifth edition of the Prémios Turismo de Portugal were presented during the Bolsa de Turismo in Lisbon. This competition is organized by Turismo de Portugal, a government organization and knows eight categories.
In the Category New Public Project an honourable mention went to the Museu do Douro in Peso da Régua.
For more information see: http://www.turismodeportugal.pt/premios2009/default.aspx?content=193

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