Christian Seely shows the quality of the Douro with a vertical tasting of Quinta do Noval

Christian Seely's contention that the Quinta do Noval vineyards are producing outstanding dry red table wines was vindicated at a mid-summer vertical tasting in London. The flamboyant, bow-tie- wearing managing director of the leading port house has always believed that unfortified wines from the Douro had the potential to express Noval's terroir. A look at the estate's three dry reds - Quinta do Noval Douro DOC,  Cedro do Noval and Quinta do Noval Touriga Nacional - between the period 2004-11 supported that view.

Alain Ducasse sommelier wins first Wines of Portugal Wine Quest competition

Dorian Guillon, assistant head sommelier at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, has won the inaugural Wines of Portugal Wine Quest 2014 competition set up to help spread the word about Portuguese wine amongst UK's leading sommeliers.

Symingtons release "personal" tribute to AJ Symington with Graham's Ne Oublie 1882

Port family, the Symingtons, has released a special Port - Ne Oublie - that dates back to 1882 and the days when Andrew AJ Symington, aged 18, first went to the Douro Valley to work at Graham's.

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

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

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

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Mateus to launch lighter style wine range in UK through Stevens Garnier

Mateus, the iconic Portuguese wine brand, is introducing a new lighter style wine range as part of a £2 million investment in the overall brand in the UK.

Portugal's wine industry struggling for survival, says Paul Symington

Portugal's wine industry is being decimated by high costs of production and regulation and "something's gotta give", says leading Douro producer Paul Symington.

Portugal takes 12 trophies at International Wine Challenge

Portugal has scooped 12 trophies at the International Wine Challenge, putting it in third position for trophy wines after France (28) and Australia (19).

Esporao's pioneering winemaker, David Baverstock, on the exciting future of Portugal's Alentejo wines

Latest reports suggest Portugal's economy can at last look forward to recovery. Yet if the country's fortunes had mirrored those of the Alentejo's wine industry, it would be enjoying the benefits of growth already, writes Justin Keay.

France tops medal chart at the International Wine Challenge 2014

France has topped the medal chart at the International Wine Challenge for the 31^st year running, taking 1987 medals, including 113 golds.

Sandeman vintage Ports spanning eight decades to sample in London

Port wine is having a renaissance and London restaurant "The Sign of the Don", in partnership with the Sandeman Port wine, is offering the public a rare chance to sample the wines which go as far back as 1944.

Fladgate releases three 2012 vintage ports

The Fladgate Partnership has declared the release of three 2012 vintage Ports from Taylor's Quinta do Vargellas, Fonseca's Guimaraens and Croft's QUinta do Roêda on St George's Day.

?How the success of the 2011 vintage is giving Port a new lease on life in the UK

Hot on the heels of the 2011 vintage declaration, Port is making a big comeback and harpers.co.uk talks with some of Port's most iconic brand owners.

Mateus launches four wines combining international and Portuguese grapes

Portugal's Mateus is extending its reach with the launch of four new wines combining Portuguese and international grape varieties.

Portugal claims its wine sales are 'misrepresented' in UK

Portugal says its wine sales are being misrepresented in the UK off-trade - it claims it should be ahead of Argentina and among the top 10 importing countries.

Alliance Wine boosts sales team

Alliance Wine has boosted its Scottish sales team and added Portuguese wine Delaforce to its portfolio.

Gerard Basset leads line up for Discover the Origin masterclasses around the UK

The UK on-trade is for the last time going to have the chance to literally Discover the Origin of some of the most iconic drink and food products produced in the European Union with a series of masterclasses featuring some of the trade's most well known figures including Gerard Basset MW, MS.

Douglas Blyde hears history, gains insight and tastes wines at Fells first summit

Combine one part history lesson with another part insight into the runnings of five family businesses, with a final part of tutored wine tastings, and the first Fells wine forum would result.

Portuguese winery Esporão launches first vintage port

Portugal: searching for an identity

It might not be top of the charts when it comes to sales, but there are few wine countries with as much untapped potential as Portgual. Richard Woodard reports