Port and the Douro

by Richard Mayson

Overview

Richard Mayson’s award-winning Port and the Douro, first published in 1999, has become a classic over the last 25 years. In this comprehensively updated fifth edition he reminds us why Port is a drink that continues to fascinate wine-lovers and win new fans. The book begins with a history of Port, from the beginnings of viticulture in Roman times to the present day. The grape varieties, vineyards and quintas are thoroughly explored, followed by an explanation of Port production, both traditional and modern. An introduction to Port styles prepares the reader for a detailed assessment of Port vintages from 1963–2023, with profiles of the most important declared years back to 1834. There is a chapter profiling the Port shippers, and Douro wine, which continues to grow in importance for the region, is explored in its own chapter. The Douro valley is entering a new period of flux, driven by climate change and the impact it is clearly having on the region. Sustainability has become critical as growers and the industry seek to undo the mistakes of the past in order to make the vineyards and the trade fit for an increasingly unpredictable future. Over the past 50 years, the Port world has undergone a transformation in line with the dramatic socio-economic changes that have taken place in Portugal. Labour-saving technology in field and cellar, advances in sales reach, and ongoing changes in the way the industry was managed and regulated are all considered in this new edition. For those wishing to visit the Douro valley and Oporto, the book concludes with some ideas on what to do and where to stay. Peppered throughout with anecdotes, potted biographies of those who shaped the industry and insights into quirks of the trade, this extensive and engaging guide to Port is an essential book for any wine enthusiast’s library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781917084529
Publisher:	Académie du Vin Library
Publication date:	06/20/2024
Series:	The Classic Wine Library
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	424
Sales rank:	526,638
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Richard Mayson entered the UK wine trade in 1984 and spent five years working for the Wine Society. His first book, the award-winning Portugal’s Wines and Wine-Makers, was published in 1992. Port and the Douro, published in 1999, was shortlisted for the André Simon Award and the second edition, published in 2004, won the Symington Award of Excellence. In 2003 The Wines and Vineyards of Portugal won the André Simon Award for Drinks Book of the Year. In 2014 Richard was Louis Roederer International Wine Feature Writer of the Year and in 2015 Madeira: The islands and their wines was shortlisted for the André Simon Award. Richard chairs the Port and Madeira panel for the Decanter World Wine Awards and lectures to students at Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London. In 1999 he became a Cavaleiro of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ix

Preface to the fourth edition xiii

1. Port and the Douro, up to date 1

2. Vineyards, vines and quintas 69

3. Making Port: Tradition and technology 153

4. Port types 175

5. Vintage Port 201

6. Port producers and shippers 267

7. Douro wines 321

8. Directions in Oporto and the Douro 345

9. Postscript 357

Glossary of Portuguese and technical terms 361

Appendix I: Institutions regulating and promoting Port

and Douro wines 369

Appendix II: Port benefício and production of Port and

Douro wine 2001–2017 373

Appendix III: Port grape varieties 375

Appendix IV: Global sales of Port wine 384

Bibliography 387

Index 391

Maps

Map 1. The north of Portugal and the Douro 71

Map 2. The Douro, showing prominent quintas 120

Map 3. The location of Port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia 352

Figures

Fig. 1. Contrasting systems of cultivation in Douro vineyards 82

Fig. 2. Autovinification 161

Illustrations

Terraces, Cima Corgo xiv

Noble house, Vilariça 18

Verandah, Quinta do Bomfim 41

‘Bombs house’, São João de Pesqueira 65

Octogenarian vine 88

Harvester’s kitchen, Quinta do Bomfim 116

Granite chapel, São Salvador do Mundo 118

Senhora da Ribeira. ‘John Major had lunch here’ 141

Cestos, old and new 155

Macacos: ‘monkey sticks’ 158

Basket press 172

Balões … ‘ginas’, ‘mamas’, ‘Lollobrigidas’ 176

Tasting room with a view 183

Bacalhau 305

Barco rabelo 348

One of the world’s great train journeys 350

Editorial Reviews

"A book in the image of Port Wine, delicious." - Blend, The Online Wine Magazine
"Richard's tone remains down-to-earth despite his obvious authority and knowledge when it comes to this wine region. This is a book that offers much that is new and I'm delighted that I will be able to have it to hand when I next open a bottle." - Chris Kissak , thewinedoctor.com
"The new edition of 2013 is far superior to all editions that have gone before and in my view is beyond any doubt 'The Bible of Port Wine'." - Books about Port
"The only book on port and the Douro worth having." - jancisrobinson.com
"A fantastic read from the get-go" - jancisrobinson.com
"What to Read Before You Go: Port and the Douro by port wine expert Richard Mayson." - National Geographic, Best of the World Weekly on the Alto Douro Region
"If you need to know anything at all about port ... this is the book to have at hand." - Spittoon.biz

From the Publisher