A dinner in honour of Paul Symington, with 1945 Graham

On Thursaday night, I attended the Decanter Man of the Year dinner held in honour of this year’s recipient, Paul Symington.

Right from the outset, when Paul was rung with the news of the award in December, he  maintained that this is a family award. Paul heads up the family business: they are the leading shipper [...]

1952 Colheita from Graham for the Diamond Jubilee

Old wines? I love them. And some of the best old wines are fortified wines: Madeira, Vintage Port, Tawny Port and VORS Sherry.

This is a 60 year old single-vintage Tawny Port (the official name for vintage dated Tawnies is Colheita), released to commerate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It’s fabulous and expensive, but good value when [...]

In the Douro, at Warre's Quinta da Cavadinha in the Pinhao Valley

A short film from a visit to Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha, in the heart of the beautiful Pinhao Valley. I am with Paul Symington and viticulturist Miles Edlmann.

Nice wines at the Portuguese wine awards dinner

Last night was the Portuguese wine awards dinner at the Ambassador’s residence. It’s an annual event, now in its eighth edition, and is organized by the Association of Portuguese Wine Importers (APWI).

The goal is to give a pat on the back to those who communicate about, or sell Portuguese wines in the UK. It’s quite [...]

A lovely Portuguese red: Casa de Saima Colheita 2008

Really like this.

It’s a Portuguese red wine from the Bairrada region, made by one of the top producers in this area, Casa de Saima. Now they’re known as traditionalists – defenders of the Baga grape, which is what the region’s top reds are made from. This, however, is quite a modern-styled wine, with some Merlot [...]

Another brilliant Dao wine from Alvaro Castro

I bought this wine last year at a ridiculously cheap price in a sale from online Portuguese wine merchant Castas. It’s my last bottle, and I’m sad that I don’t have more. Once again, it shows just how good the Dao region, with its granitic soils, can be.

Álvaro Castro 2007 Dão, Portugal
A blend of Alfrocheiro, [...]

Highlights from yesterday's New Douro tasting

Yesterday’s New Douro tasting was one of the best yet. While the emphasis was on the 2009 vintage, producer’s also brought the odd older wine, which was appreciated. 2009 is a ripe, warm year, but despite the heat and lack of rain that characterized this vintage, the wines have a lovely purity and openness to [...]

Dinner at the wonderful Viajante with Dirk Niepoort

Sensational wines. Sensational food. Just what you want on a cold Tuesday night in January.

Amaranth with sorrel; onion brioche with stilton cheese; thai explosion 2

Dirk Niepoort, one of the winegrowers I respect the most, was in town, and he kindly invited a small group to dine with him at Viajante in Bethnel [...]

Another good Dao wine

The Dao region of Portugal continues to impress. Here’s another good one, from organic winery Casa de Mouraz.

Casa de Mouraz 2007 Dao, Portugal
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro, Jaen and the rare Agua Santa. Fresh, sweet cherry and berry fruit nose with some spicy, savoury notes. The palate is vivid with good acidity [...]

Quinta das Maias Dao, an attractive Portuguese red

Really enjoyed this wine, which I previously blogged on just over a year ago. It’s a fresh, lively red wine with a hint of savoury, spicy meatiness that makes me think it may have a little Brettanomyces character (read more about this here). But this brett, if it is present, is at a level that [...]