Exciting news from Porto

Looking across to Oporto from Vila Nova de Gaia

“Omne trium perfectum” as they said in Rome or, as we say these days, good things come in threes. Here are three exciting news’ stories related to Port:

Sogrape declares 2011 Ferreira, Offley and Sandeman Vintage Ports

A palate staining 2011 sample

I cannot claim this news came as a surprise, so palpable has been the excitement about 2011 Ports. As early as October 2011, Paul & Johnny Symington were positively tigger-like about the vintage and brought still-fermenting 2011 Ports along to a London event to give us a taster of what Paul pronounced one of three “sensational” years during his time in the trade.

More recently (in late November) I tasted samples from Ramos Pinto and Sogrape whose Chief Winemaker Luís Sottomayor says he cannot recall a vintage in which the port wines have revealed “such enormous structure and robustness.” According to Sottomayer, “2011 has allowed us to create vintage wines with never-before-seen levels of colour, structure and complexity, for which we anticipate enormous bottle-ageing potential, thanks to the combination of robust structure, fruit and excellent acidity.”  Sogrape will launch their 2011s in May. I’m looking forward to tasting the finished articles this month alongside other 2011 releases and will let you know how I go.

Graham’s inaugurates the 1890 Port Lodge and Vinum Restaurant

Vinum restaurant

Oporto is just a short plane ride away and I cannot recommend a visit highly enough. The city is buzzing – over 700,000 people visit the Port Lodges alone each year. Long may it continue. The latest buzz is around Graham’s newly renovated Port lodge, which was inaugurated by the President of Portugal on March 21^st 2013, together with the British Ambassador, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism and the Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia.

I had a quick whizz around with Paul Symington in late November and it’s an artful blend of old (the lodge was built in 1890) and new, notably the glass-sided restaurant, Vinum (pictured). Diners have views of 3,200 casks & 2000 pipes of maturing Port to one side (not on tap unfortunately!) and, if seated in the conservatory, stunning views over the river Douro and the old city of Oporto to the other.

A new public tasting room provides an opportunity to taste premium Ports, while a private room is available for those with more esoteric tastings in mind. Also new is a museum which provides an insight into the Symington family’s long involvement in Port, as well as the history of Graham’s.

My admission to the rank of Cavaleiro of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto

The Chancellery, headed by current Chancellor George Sandeman (seated)

Founded in 1982, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto or Port Wine Brotherhood was established with the core purpose of “spreading, promoting and consolidating the name of Port around the World.” Much to my surprise and delight I recently received a letter from its Chancellor, George Sandeman, informing me that I have been admitted to the rank of Cavaleiro of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto for my commitment and contribution to Port wine. The “enthronement” (!) ceremony takes place in June at the Palácio da Bolsa in Oporto and is followed by a Gala Ball at the Museum of Transport. A great opportunity to do my own share of tourism in Oporto this summer. I shall post photos!