Dirk Niepoort needs no introduction. For me, this is the Douro’s most exciting winery (it’s one of the world’s most exciting wineries, for that matter). Dirk says that in 2013…
In the Douro (2) Quinta Vale Dona Maria
Two very interesting visits yesterday: Vale Dona Maria and Niepoort. There’s something nice about unhurried appointments. It takes the pressure off: you don’t need to gather the maximum information in…
In the Douro, 1 – Quinta do Vale Meão
I’m in the Douro. As is common on the road, time for blogging is short, and internet connections are not always guaranteed (although across the world they are so much…
Back to Portugal, off to the Douro again
I’m off to Portugal this evening. Back to the Douro, for some quality time with the Douro Boys. I remember my first visit to the Douro. It was back in…
A mini vertical of Noval Vintage Port
Had a chance to try four vintages of Noval side by side. Sadly, this was tasting not drinking – and usually, tasting notes made in the act of drinking have…
Quinta do Noval 2013 Vintage Port
Don’t you just love eccentric declarations? We’re talking Vintage Port here. It used to be so solemn and predictable: three declarations a decade, from the very best years, agreed in…
Kopke Colheita Ports back to 1941
Colheitas are single vintage Tawny Ports (that is, Ports that have been aged for a long time in large oak barrels, rather than bottled after a few years and aged…
The wine boats of the Douro river
This is a great film. It’s titled ‘The wine boats of the Douro river’, and it represents a very different Douro than that of today, shot in 1923. This was…
Two from Portugal: Vale Meão 2005 and Casa de Mouraz Elfa 2010
Portugal is a wonderful wine country, and one that I’ll be focusing on a bit this year, after having let it suffer mild neglect at my hands. Here are two…