Douro harvest delivers quality on back of “absurdly low” yields

Following a year of challenging weather extremes, the Douro’s 2018 harvest has given up some “excellent Ports and Douro wines” according to Symington Family Estate’s annual harvest report.

Paul Symington to step down as chair

Paul Symington is stepping down as chairman of Symington Family Estates at the end of this year following a 40-year career in the family business.

Symington reports soaring 2016 Vintage Port sales

The Symington Family has reported ‘exceptionally strong’ demand for its 2016 Vintage Ports.

Churchill’s joins port peers in declaring 2016 a vintage year

Churchill’s has become the latest port house to declare 2016 a vintage year following unusual but ultimately beneficial growing conditions in Portugal.

The resurgence of the port industry

At first glance, it appears to be a case of “same old story” when analysing port’s prospects in the UK. According to CGA Strategy, in the 12 months to February 24, 2018, port sales (by volume, 9-litre cases) decreased by more than 11%, falling 9.8% in value. Nielsen data concurs: retail sales declined by more than 2%, remaining static in MAT TY 142,687 % CHG VS value at £77 million (MAT to March 3, 2018).

2016 Ports debut at London preview

Purity, precision and terroir were very much the buzz words at the 2016 Vintage Port Preview Tasting in London on May 17, where Symington Family Estates, The Fladgate Partnership and Quinta do Noval collaborated to show wines from the recently and unanimously declared 2016 vintage.

Croft, Fonseca and Taylor’s Port declare 2016 vintage

Port houses join Symington in declaring 2016 vintage

Quinta do Noval and Quinta do Romaneira are the latest Port houses to declare 2016 a vintage year, following the lead of top Port house Symington Family Estates.

Symington hails 2016 Vintage Port year

The Symington Family has declared 2016 a Vintage Port year, marking only the fourth Vintage declaration of all the family’s Port companies since 2000.

King of cork Americo Amorim dies at the age of 82

America Amorim, whose family founded the Amorim natural cork empire, died on Thursday from unknown causes.

Q&A: Gonzalo Pedrosa, ex-chief executive, Sogevinus

Gonzalo Pedrosa has a refreshing take on how Port producers should collaborate in the way the Swiss watch industry did with Swatch – to boost the category as a whole. Andrew Catchpole catches up with the recently departed champion of the colheita style

David Gleave MW: 20 years of Liberty Wines

The year is 1997.

Port on course to overtake sherry in the off-trade says Paul Symington

Port is set to overtake sherry in value sales in the off-trade in the next two years if current trends continue, according to Paul Symington, chairman of Symington Family Estates.

Gonzalo Pedrosa steps down as head of Sogevinus

Gonzalo Pedrosa has stepped down as head of Port company Sogevinus in what has been described as “a mutually agreed decision” between the board and the former CEO.

WSTA launches Christmas campaign to turnaround sales of fortified wines

The UK wine trade and consumers alike are being called upon to 'Save Santa's Sherry' in a festive campaign from the WSTA.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

World's oldest Port house launches into second major high street retailer

Historic Port brand, Kopke, is currently launching its Reserve Tawny Port into Waitrose - the second time the brand has been listed in a major national retailer in the UK, following the launch of its 1996 Colheita (an aged Tawny Port made with grapes from a single vintage) in M&S in September.

Good harvest reported by Sogevinus after difficult year

High-quality Port and Douro wine producer Sogevinus is reporting a good harvest after a challenging vine-growing year, with exceptional results from the Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional varietals in particular.

Sandeman re-launches aged tawnies to "re-affirm leadership" in fastest growing UK Port category

Sandeman is aiming to put its stamp on the tawny category with its new look range of 10, 20, 30 and 40 year-old aged tawnies.

The future of fortified

Fortified wines may have been gaining traction in the UK, according to sommeliers and the on-trade, and they certainly fit well into the premium message, but export volume and value numbers have been mixed.