Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Preface to the third edition
1. Port and the Douro up to date
2. Vineyards, vines and quintas
3. Making Port: Tradition and technology
4. Port types
5. Vintage Port
6. Port producers and shippers
7. Douro wines
8. Directions in Oporto and the Douro
9. Postscript
Glossary
Appendices
i. Institutions promoting and regulating Port and Douro wine
ii. Port benefício / total production 2001–2011
iii. Port grape varieties
iv. Global sales of Port wine
v. Global share of premium Ports
Index
Maps
Map 1. The north of Portugal and the Douro
Map 2. The Douro, showing prominent quintas
Map 3. The location of Port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia
Figures
Fig. 1. Contrasting systems of cultivation in Douro vineyards
Fig. 2. Autovinification
Illustrations
Terraces, Cima Corgo
Noble house, Vilariça
Verandah, Quinta do Bomfim
‘Bombs house’, São João de Pesqueira
Octagenarian vine
Harvester’s kitchen, Quinta do Bomfim
Granite chapel, São Salvador do Mundo
Senhora da Ribeira. ‘John Major had lunch here’
Cestos: old and new
Macacos: ‘monkey sticks’
Basket press
Balões … ‘ginas’, ‘mamas’, ‘Lollobrigidas’
Toneis, pipas and balseiros
Fonseca’s room with a view
Ponte D. Luíz and Gaia
Bacalhau
Barco rabelo
One of the world’s great train journeys

About the Author

Richard Mayson is an award-winning wine writer and an authority on Portuguese wine. A lecturer and consultant, he writes for Decanter and The World of Fine Wine and is a contributor to the Oxford Companion to Wine, the Larousse Encyclopedia of Wine and the World Atlas of Wine. His books include Port and the Douro, Madeira: The islands and their wines and The wines of Portugal. He is Chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards for Port and Madeira Wine.

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."
*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*