Posted 17 October 2023
by Vintage Wine and Port: Ben Read
The world of wine is full of terms that can be confusing if you are not familiar with them. Colheita is one such term – one we are often asked about. So what is a colheita Port? The literal translation of the Portuguese term ‘colheita’ is ‘harvest’. The Portuguese have traditionally used the term ‘colheita’ to describe a Port, aged in wooden barrels for 7+ years, that is solely from a single harvest year – all of the grapes used to make the specific wine were harvested in one single year. Hence the more anglicised term ‘single harvest tawny’ that is also sometimes used to describe certain Port wines.
Posted 25 September 2023
by Vintage Wine and Port
Italy is a country that has a formidable tradition and history of winemaking. Indeed, it is known that vines used for Italian wine production have been growing in this region for over 4000 years. The constant influx of conquerors and travellers over the centuries constantly added to the existing base of knowledge and allowed Italian wine growing to develop into the highly regarded craft that it is today. The Ancient Greeks referred to southern Italy as Enotria, meaning “land of the vine”, and with the tremendous quality and variety of Italian wines on call today, Italy remains one of the most exciting wine regions of the world.
Posted 3 June 2021
by Dia Grigoriou
2019 harvest at Sogevinus vineyards
in the Douro
Although 2019
was a good vintage in the Douro, not all shippers declared a classic vintage. Those
whose vineyards are situated in favourable aspect sites opted for a classic declaration
whilst others focused their potential releases on ports from terroir driven plots.
With no general vintage declaration, several major producers have announced
single quinta vintage releases instead.
Posted 22 July 2020
by Dia Grigoriou
Tasting an older wine is indeed a rare occasion. Those who
are lucky to try older examples regularly, have developed a code of conduct, a
generosity of spirit or a resilience and an understanding that these wines are
vastly different than their counterparts from more recent vintages.
However, here is a question, do all wines age gracefully?
Posted 18 May 2020
by Dia Grigoriou and Tony Carter
Harvest at the Quinta do Noval winery. Credit: David Silverman/Getty Images
Shippers in the Douro announced that 2018 was another
fabulous year for port wines. A few port shippers declared a classic vintage
whilst others opted to declare their best single vineyard ports instead.
The declaration occurred in line with the tradition of
declaring a vintage port on or after St. Gorges Day, 23rd April each
year.
The 2018s are showing things are heating up in the Douro.
Proof is that some shippers offered a rare third consecutive year declaration
for their Vintage Port, following the exceptional 2016 & 2017 vintages.