As I write, wine producers all over France are timidly, and sometimes not so timidly, expressing enthusiasm about their 2010 vintage. The reason some of them are not going overboard about its...

The great thing about the port business at the moment, or rather the Port Wine Trade as its traditional practitioners tend to call it, is that it is so dynamic. All sorts of new small...

“If we do not get people to change the way they see vintage port, without alienating our traditional customers, we will be stuck with an ever-ageing customer profile. I think the wines we make...

See my overview of the 2003 vintage and the vintage port market  and Roy Hersh of Seattle's excellent report at www.fortheloveofport.com    There’s no doubt that this was a very ripe...

It's amazing how widespread are the effects on the internet. Now that Berry Bros have such a skilful online retail presence, they can make their offer of this new port vintage just hours after...

If you are wondering what to lay down for a baby born in 2003, the answer is vintage port. Long after many a 2003 bordeaux and burgundy, baked by those heatwave conditions, has faded and perished,...

Neil O'Connor, Middle East: Thanks for mentioning my comments on Parker's predictions....

Martin Nettleton, UK: I feel suitably chastised for doubting the mighty WSET!! (although less happy that the first...

See my tasting notes on more than 30 2011 vintage ports. Could 2011 be the vintage to put vintage port back on the fine wine map? I do hope so. I have never been as excited by the launch of a...

Perhaps it's not great timing that traditionally vintage port has been declared on St George's Day, 23 April. This year anyway the launch of the 2011 vintage ports has come slap bang in the middle...

It's always interesting to monitor the latest champagne vintages and I've had a couple of chances recently: one tasting a selection of champagnes submitted for British Airways first class that I...

As the polite receptionist at Locanda Locatelli in the West End of London took my booking for lunch in late November, she sighed almost in time to the barrage of phones ringing in the background....

David Lester, Manchester: In your tasting notes on 2003 vintage port you note two wines 'Quinta do Portal' and 'Quinta do Portal II'. One of my merchants is stocking Quinta do Portal...

We may debate the effects of western Europe’s drought in Rioja , but there is no doubt at all that port country, the Douro Valley in northern Portugal, is suffering. Paul Symington (Graham,...

Jonathan Brittain, Wales: Just being nosey. Last year you were asked which wines you were buying form the Bordeaux 2003 en primeur campaign. I found your choice interesting and was...