Tuesday, September 15th: Participated in a virtual press visit via Zoom to Taylor Fladgate in the Douro with CO Adrian Bridge as our guide. He told us that there were temperatures in the 40s during the summer and harvest, which caused a 30% drop in yield because of desiccation. This was the earliest harvest “for generations” (September 31). And because of COVID there was no traditional foot-treading in the lagars. The company installed mechanical lagars to replicate the foot-treading. The company has acquired a further 80 hectares with the purchase of two quintas. He also told us port sales are down in Portugal but up in other markets – in spite of the recession (people rewarding themselves to make themselves feel better!) But Taylor Fladgate has enough stock to cover 6 years of sales. My favourite quote from Adrian: “Port is central heating for humans.”
Wines tasted this week: Continue reading
