Publisher Description

In this fourth edition of his bestselling book, Ben Howkins captures the essence of port and what it means to the people who produce it and those who drink it. Packed with a wealth of up-to-date information, including a complete list of vintages and guide to tasting, this book will appeal to lovers of wine, food and travel as well as the serious student of port. Ben Howkins offers a concise history of port and the port trade as they have developed over the last 300 years. He covers important changes in recent ownership of the major shippers and highlights the people driving change in the industry whilst protecting port's heritage. 'Ben Howkins' classic handbook Rich, Rare and Red greets the new age of port with just the guide to these changes port lovers need. We may like our port old, but we need our sources constantly refreshed.' Hugh Johnson AUTHOR: Ben Howkins was educated at Rugby and Amherst College, Massachusetts. He was awarded the Vintners' Scholarship in 1963, making him the youngest person to receive this award. His experience in Europe's vineyards, working with many leading vintners, informs his commitment to educate others in the enjoyment of wine. He is a member of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto and the Vintners' Company, co-founder of Royal Tokaji, and is wine advisor at Waddesdon, to Lord Rothschild, co-owner of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. His other titles for Quiller include Real Men Drink Port...and Ladies do too! SELLING POINTS: . Updated and expanded, this is an essential reference guide to Port . Recommended reading for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and other certification programmes . Describes the unique features of the Douro Valley, historical production techniques and more recent innovations . Covers important changes in recent ownership of the major shippers . Includes a guide to tasting and a full list of vintages b/w illustrations

Author Biography

Ben Howkins was awarded the Vintners' Scholarship in 1963, making him the youngest person to receive this award. His experience in Europe's vineyards, working with many leading vintners, informs his commitment to educate others in the enjoyment of wine. He is a member of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto and the Vintners' Company, cofounder of Royal Tokaji, and is wine advisor at Waddesdon, to Lord Rothschild, coowner of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. He is the author of "Real Men Drink Port and Ladies Do Too!"

Table of Contents

ForewordPrefaceNote on the Fourth EditionAcknowledgements1. Introduction2. Port - An Historical Perspective3. Vineyards and Vines4. Port Maturation5. The Leading Port Producers6. Port Styles7. Vintage Port8. Visiting the Region9. Oporto10. World Markets11. Fifty Shades of PortAppendices1. Vintage Ports and their Shippers2. Glossary of Wine Terms3. Further ReadingIndex

Review

Best wine books of 2015: Howkins's book has brought a few generations into the Port fold, and here it is again, updated and reading as well as ever. When the book first appeared, patamares, the bulldozed terraces that replaced dry-stone walling, were all the rage; now they're being adapted to more conservation-friendly methods. Then it was auto-vinification; now lagares are back. Port is better than ever, the region has a new confidence, and this book will both instruct and entice you.

Review Quote

"Ben Howkins' classic handbook greets the new age of port with just the guide to these changes port lovers need. We may like our port old, but we need our sources constantly refreshed."

Details