Port and the Douro: reference guide to the world’s greatest wine by Richard Mayson, 1908984171

Port and the Douro by Richard Mayson
Print Length: 320 Pages
Publisher: Infinite Ideas Limited
Publication Date: November 1, 2012
Language: English
ASIN: B00BCIO7RG
ISBN-10: 1908984171
ISBN-13: 978-1908984173
File Format: PDF
Authoritative and entertaining, the completely updated third edition of Richard Mayson’s Port and the Douro offers unparalleled insight into the world of port and Douro wines. From the history of the wine trade in Portugal to the present day, this book is rich in information, offering readers the inside story of these magnificent wines, including a great deal of new material on the cultivation of the Douro’s vineyards. An entire chapter is dedicated to vintage port, covering harvests as recent as 2015 and providing information on vintages going back to 1844. All the producers and shippers are included in a comprehensive directory which reflects the structural changes the trade has undergone in recent years, with withdrawal of the multinationals and the sale and amalgamation of a number of famous port firms. Mayson closes by addressing some of the challenges and changes that might affect port and Douro wines in future. A comprehensive study of port and its production, this is an indispensable reference guide to the world’s greatest fortified wine.
Excellent, exhaustive & authoritative book on the Douro valley

I was looking to learn more about the extraordinary Douro valley after a recent visit there. The author delivers more than what expected, indeed producing one of the great wine region books. Port and just as importantly Douro still wines that have historically been given stepchild treatment are fully covered here. Also interesting backgrounds on the port trade, the Shippers ( as the major Port houses are called) and individuals who made the Douro what it is, are all covered in great detail. The chapter on vintage port is simply superb.
My only puzzlement is no mention is made on Dows 2011 vintage port being awarded Wine Spectators wine of the year award, an odd omission given the United States importance to the port trade.