Friday, on January 27th, it is going to be celebrated the International Port Wine day #PortDay. The Center for Wine Origins is organizing and promoting this one-day event, in which anyone, anywhere, can participate and be part of the celebration. The idea behind this event is to remind consumers that Port Wine is a genuine and singular fortified wine, only made in the northern Portugal, in the Douro valley.

We are going to join the celebration of the Port Wine day by promoting a special activities in our lodge in Rua de Santa Marinha 77, Vila Nova de Gaia. In this place, everyone will have the chance to try different styles of Port Wines and share the experience on-line, on the social media. For that, computers will be available for the public, as consumers can leverage on social media to spread out the word of Port Wine. And always using #PortDay on social media.

The Center for Wine Origins was founded in 2005 by the wine growing regions of Champagne, France, and Porto, Portugal.  These are both regulated by the European system of appellations, designed to ensure authenticity and quality for consumers. The Center represents the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the trade association that represents all the grape growers and houses of Champagne; and the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), the trade association that represents all the grape growers and houses in Porto and the Douro Valley. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the institution is involved in many activities aimed at educating consumers, policymakers and the media about the importance of keeping wine labels accurate.

Oscar

Today is a special day for the Douro valley. Ten years ago UNESCO classified the Alto Douro Wine Region as World Heritage center for its long history of wine production by traditional landholders, for some 2,000 years. But what really gave name and fame to the region was Port Wine, which records show a first commercial operation occurring in 1675 with Holland. In 1756 came the delimitation and regulation of the region, and from then on Port Wine has been part of the drinking culture of many household a little bit anywhere in the world.

In these ten years, since the classification from UNESCO, several things changed in the Douro for better. The overall quality of vine growing, wine making and tourism accommodation all improved a lot in this decade. And tourism is exactly what I think is the next big challenge for the Douro. To take advantage of the potential of the region, developing it as a exclusive wine destination region is what shall occupy all of us involved in the daily business of the Douro. And for this, UNESCO’s classification is also very important.

Take a look at the ceremony program that is taking place today at Peso da Régua.

Oscar

Last month, for the first time, I visited Canada. I was in Toronto for the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, an event in which final consumers have access to a broad range of wines, from all parts of the world. By paying some dollars, people can enjoy a glass or two of a wine that not always is available to the general public.

In the Canadian market, the LCBO, Licor Control Board of Ontario, which is a Government-owned company, is the only entity selling alcohol in public store. Having this kind of monopoly for wine retailing, LCBO is one of the most important and powerful alcohol purchasers in the world. Therefore, the wine range available in store is based on the perception of what the managers of the LCBO think the Canadian consumer prefers. However, there are a large number of wine agents, who have a large selection of wines, some available at the LCBO, but most not, which can sell directly to the public, in what is known as private order.

In the fair there was a place where thematic tasting were being held. One of those tastings, Fortified Finale, was guided by Claudius Fehr, a previous category manager specialized in Port Wine at the LCBO. I was honored to be invited by Mr. Fehr to present our Ports at the tasting. But instead of talking about our Ports, I would rather show you a video of Claudius presenting a regular Tawny Port, from Quinta da Pedra Alta, a producer in Alijó, which is available at the LCBO. And this is a nice Port.

Let me know if you have any questions about this specific and complex market. I’m not sure if I can help you out, but at least I will try. Otherwise we ask for the help of my friend Steve Santos, who lives there as has a nice understanding of the market.

Oscar

Today I was in one of those places that you don’t really know if you will ever have a chance to visit during your life, though you know that you really wanted to. It is a well respected place, for its history, tradition and impact on the society. That place is the Harvard University. Here, I had the chance, together with my friend Luiz Alberto from The Wine Hub, to give a seminar about Port Wine and the Douro. All came from nothing (as almost all good things in life), when I was confronted with the possibility of heading to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to share with the Wine Club from the Harvard Law School what is Port Wine, where is the Douro and what makes both so special.

All this resulted in an amazing experience. The students at the seminar were well interested in knowing more about Port, which some of them, were trying for the first time. Seeing the faces and feeling the excitement of this young and clever crowd of future judges, lawyers, senators or entrepreneurs, makes me believe that there future ahead of Port Wine is going to continue as long and bright as it has been. Some days are special, and today is one of those for me. Cheers!

Oscar

The presentation of film Life on the Douro in California came to the end. Judging by the comments of the people it was a large success. Those who have never been neither in the Douro or Porto, could see how beautiful and breathtaking (using Dominic Symington words) the landscape is and long, complex and puzzling the history has become. Even for those who visit regularly the Douro valley, and there were some, there is always something new, something yet to be discovered that Zev Robinson’s film brings to us. As I said to Zev after the SF screening, the more I see the film, the better I enjoy it!

After the screening, people could experience a tasting of Douro still wines and Ports, from a dozen of producers. If I well remember, these are the producers that donated bottles for the tasting: Dow’s, Ferreira, Graham’s, Niepoort, Quevedo, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Portal, Quinta do Vale Meão, Sandeman, Taylor’s.

The screening rooms chosen for the presentation also had their piece of history. And what a history! In Hollywood, Los Angeles, the Chaplin Theater was the place where Charlin Chaplin used to present his films to friends. Can you imagine what I felt when I saw the Douro projected on the same screen where Chaplin project his projects? It made me shiver… In San Francisco the history of the room is different, is more related with the institution that runs all the facility. Delancey Stree Foundation is a self-help organization for former substance abusers, ex-convicts, homeless and others who have hit bottom. And there we were, helping those you need to be helped

Oscar

In the Americas Life on the Douro will be screening on Saturday, November 12, at the Toronto International Portuguese Film Festival http://www.portuguesefilmfestival.com/en/synopsis.html

Few days later, Zev’s film will be showing in Los Angeles and San Francisco on November 15 and 17, followed by a tasting of Port and still wines produced by a handful of producers from the region. Doors open at 6 PM and the film will start at 6:30, followed by a Q&A, and a wine tasting presented by Roy Hersh of www.fortheloveofport.com and me. I hope to see there some of you there, at least those who read us from the Pacific cost.

The venues are:

Chaplin Theater and Raleigh Cafe,
Raleigh Studios
5300 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90038

Tickets are $32.00 and can be purchased here – http://lifeonthedouroinla.eventbrite.com/

Delancey Street San Francisco
Screening Room and Private Club
600 Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94107

Tickets are $32.00 and can be purchased here – http://lifeonthedouroinsanfrancisco.eventbrite.com/

For we all to better know Zev Robinson, I have put on the top an interview made by Luiz Alberto and Roy Hersh.

Should you have any question, please leave it on the comments section and I’ll be happy to help you!

Oscar

Another European wine bloggers conference gone. This time we met in Brescia, Franciacorta, Italy. As expected, there was a big focus on the sparkling wines from Franciacorta, which are nowadays known not only in Europe but a little bit everywhere. As I am not a fan of sparkling wines, I was satisfied to see other Italian wine regions represented, as well as Austrian and Chilean wines. This year there were well over 200 attendees, reaching the reasonable limit for the conference with this format, in which we try to meet most of the people present at the event.

Contrarily to what I use to do, this time I did not stay for any post-conference trip as worked called me back to Portugal. This year trips where to Chianti Classico and Friuli.

From Portugal there were not many people but I was happy to see that we are no longer alone as Port Wine producers. Sogrape was present in the last two editions, but this year two other Port producers joined us, João Roseira from Quinta do Infantado and Cynthia Jenson representing Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos.

The highlight of the conference was on Sunday when a small group of around 25 people visited Monte Rossa winery. Emanuele Rabotti, the MD of the winery, degorged a 1990 Cabochon. I had the chance to make a video of it. A total of 4 bottles were opened, which, due to the high pressure inside the bottle (around 5 atmosphears) was in the water, making it a cleaner opening. And the wine showed very well, still fresh and vibrant!

Oscar

Monday next week I will be heading to England for what is known as the Naked winemakers tour. This does not mean that I’m going to travel naked over England. No, you can relax!! It means that our importer, Naked Wines, is organizing wine tastings in Norwich, Brighton, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh. With these tasting, Naked Wines presents its customers to the winemakers they represent, in an informal and fun climate.

This is going to be a long week of tastings, moving around in the naked bus, from tasting to tasting. But most of all, this is going to be lot of fun, as most of the winemakers are young and love social media, as we do! Connect to twitter or facebook and check out what is happening in each of these events.

If you live in any of these cities you can meet me and a bunch of other producers between June 25th and July 2nd! Ryan O’Connell from Love that Languedoc Wine is other wine blogger that I recommend you to meet. Take a look at  www.nakedwines.com/tastingtour and check if there is still tickets available for your city!

Oscar

Zev Robinson is back with Life on the Douro, part 2. After spending one week in the Douro and Porto last February during the Explorers Tour of Roy Hersh, Zev is now presenting us the second part of his project on the Douro and Port Wine culture. In this second part, Zev focused on interviewing many others Port Wine producers. Now he is working on putting together all the content that he collect during the last year, to release the final documentary in September. If I’m not wrong, he visited the Douro for four times in 12 months, in Spring, Summer, Fall/ harvest and Winter. I remind you that you can see the part 1 of Life on the Douro here.

Today, June 10th, Zev Robinson’s film “Dinastia Vivanco: Giving back to wine what wine has given us” screens in San Francisco. Take a look at the preview of Dinastia Vivanco on-line. It is well worth to know the story of this family.

Oscar

After spending my first week in Brazil I’m now flying back to the motherland. I had such a wonderful time in Brazil, in this huge and frenetic country of the South America, where you feel little bigger than a grain of sand on the Guarujá beach. Walking down the Paulista Avenue or on the Oscar Freire street or moving around in one of the luxuries malls of São Paulo, you will realize that there are plenty of Brazilians are eager to spend money. Nothing is enough expensive for them. The dramatic economic growth that Brazil is enjoying since the beginning of the millennium is increasing the living standards of its population. But poverty still remains. It is a country of contrasts that the music helps to balance, but it is getting too expensive. Brazilian currency, real, is very strong, reducing the competitiveness of the economy, and making not recommend for tourists. However, on the other side, it makes imported products cheaper, fomenting the its consumption.

The main purpose of my trip to Brazil was, of course, wine related. São Paulo hosted during the last week the major wine fair exhibition in Brazil, Expovinis, where not only producers show their products, but also major importers exhibit the portfolio they are distributing. Regarding the possibility of accomplishing our mission, that we defined late last year – to find an importer for our wines – Expovinis revealed quite interesting. We developed some good contacts and hopefully the interest and expectations Brazilian created on me, will bring results.

What else did I do during my one-week in Brazil? Beside a couple of business meetings, I also poured our wines in two tastings organized by the IVDP, one in São Paulo and other in Curitiba. Also in São Pualo, together with The Wine Hub, we organized and gave a Port Wine seminar, as we have been doing in Europe. This time the audience was very special as some clients of Meu Estudio, a design company that made all the layout of the presentation we use in our seminars, joined us. Some friends from São Paulo also joined us for this Port and Douro wine tasting event, that happened to be my best day in Brazil.

When someone talks about Brazil, you may think about football, beaches, samba or Carnival. But in terms of food, I’m sure that on the top of your mind is picanha and all the delicious grilled meat that Brazilians expertly make. So, on Saturday at lunch time, I went with my friends Luiz Alberto, Arnaldo Nacarato, among others, to Fogo de Chão, one of the best churrascarias of São Paulo. Luiz brought 10 bottles of wine with him, while I put two bottles of Port on the table. We were 6 in total, resulting in a pretty generous ratio of almost 2 bottles per person. The food was delicious, some bottles of the wine were wonderful, helping to explaining why we ate for over 7 hours, making this the longest lunch of my life!! My mum advised me not to lose weight during this trip. I was just honoring my promise to her!!!

I want to go back to Brazil and to visit again the Alberto and Nacarato family in Capivari and Beto and Maria Clara in São Paulo. And also go to the beach of Guarujá and enjoy a caipirinha with Nilce and Arnaldo. Life is good and we have to enjoy it. Have fun and don’t forget to let me know your comments and questions.

Oscar