Wines of Portugal Conference: Jottings from Friday am session

Charles Metcalfe:

Some rather depressing research done by UK supermarkets on the level of wine knowledge amongst British wine drinkers. 58% think that Chablis is a grape variety; 43% think Chardonnay is a region and only 16% think Champagne comes from France, often thinking it comes from Italy and Spain. Only 3% consider what they are eating when choosing a wine. Price is the most important factor, even more important than the wine's colour.

Cristiano van Zeller (one of the Douro Boys)

The Douro Boys is a brilliant example of producers working together to promote not only their own wines but also their region.

A survey into what makes a wine producer interesting and credible came up with four important factors. These were small production, good reputation in their home country, wines coming exclusively from their own vines and the estate being family owned.

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Jancis Robinson MW
With Julia Harding MW, Jancis is now busy writing a new study of grape varieties. Of the 1600 different varieties in the world, 10% come from Portugal which is quite extraordinary for a small country.


Advertising by generic bodies is a waste of resources. Jancis cited the large amount of money spent by Bordeaux wines on adverts that were absolutely worthless.

The 50 best Portuguese wines chosen by the journalist who wins the Portuguese wine writer of the year is a very good initiative.

The enthusiasm of the ambassador is helping to promote a country's wines and can be very important, especially in providing recommendations for press and trade tastings.

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Portuguese Wine & International Media

Kristine Baeder (Meininger), Elin McCoy (Bloomberg), Simon Tam (Independent Wine Center, China)

Kristine Baeder

Sadly Kristine's presentation was dreary. Quite why she thought that delegates would want to travel from around the globe to listen to a tedious presentation of her employers' business is beyond my understanding. Still she is not the first to have made this mistake at a conference.

Fortuntately the poor start was rescued by Elin McCoy and Simon Tam. (more to add)

Porto: Wines of Portugal – International Conference – photos pm

André Ribeirinho (Adegga)

The Internet Wine Revolution: with Ryan Opaz, Louise Hurren, Joe Roberts, Neal Martin, André Ribeirinho and Robert McIntosh.

Ryan Opaz

Neal Martin

Louise Hurren

Joe Roberts: www.1winedude.com

André Ribeirinho (Adegga)

Robert McIntosh

Robert exploring new media...

Porto: Wines of Portugal – International Conference – photos

Herewith some photos from the conference – first session.

Francisco Borba, President of ViniPortugal

 

Dr Fernando Serrasqueiro, Secretary of State for Trade

Professor António Serrano, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries

Portugal Conference: evening@Restaurante quarentae

Restaurante quarentae

Interesting evening buffet with plenty of Touriga Naçional and a few other reds plus a small number of whites, which disappeared rapidly. Certainly an occasion for foraging! Tasted some good wines, although it wasn't really an occasion for making tasting notes, so instead I took a few pics of labels.

2008 Duorum (www.duorum.pt)

2002 Reserva Tapada do Chaves, Alentejo

M – a late harvest

Porto: Wines of Portugal – International Conference

A view from the Tiara – Park Atlantic Hotel

Now in Porto having arrived from London on QueasyJet early afternoon. I'm here (echoes of JS!) for Wines of Portugal's International Conference 2010. – 10th and 11th December. Speakers include Jancis Robinson MW, Charles Metcalfe, Elin McCoy, Ryan Opaz, Robert McIntosh and Neal Martin.

I expect to be posting from the conference tomorrow.