Port harvest unlikely to produce classic vintage

The 2009 Port harvest is underway but the year is unlikely to be declared a classic vintage.

Reporting from the Douro, Adrian Bridge, CEO of The Fladgate Partnership, said: “At this stage it would suggest that fine single quintas will be made, not classic vintage”.

He also noted that after a very hot, dry August in the Douro Valley, yields will be lower – it is expected they will be down as much as 10%.  

“Whatever happens over the next three weeks, it will be a smaller year,” said Bridge. “The healthy vegetation suggests that a small amount of rain at this stage will be beneficial to complete maturation.

"This is a year for the vineyards around Pinhão rather than further up the Valley. With expected rainfall to arrive on 11 September, we should have a good year.”

Head winemaker at The Fladgate Partnership, David Guimaraens, reported that it has been a very dry year overall and, even in July, the year looked advanced. “The leaves are in a very healthy state in spite of the dry weather so maturation can continue until picking," he said.

"The acidity recorded in the grapes was high in July but with the intense heat in recent weeks, there is good balance. The first fermentations have produced Port with a lot of colour so we are optimistic for a good harvest.”

Patrick Schmitt, 10.09.09