New Douro tasting to focus on minerality

The New Douro tasting returns to London this year and will focus on minerality with a seminar posing the question: why have white Douro wines become so hip?

The New Douro tasting on 7 November will be opened up to consumers for the first time this year

The trade and consumer event, which take place at the Vinyl Factory in Soho on 7 November, will bring 26 winemakers from the Douro Valley to London to present around 130 wines – 2014 red wines and Ports, plus 2015 whites.

This is the first year in which the event will be opened up to consumers in addition to trade and press.

The minerality seminar, the presenter of which has yet to be confirmed, comes soon after the Institute of Masters of Wine hosted a seminar on the same subject which sought to debunk the ‘myth’ that the perception of minerality is directly related to nutrient uptake by the vines.

Writing for the drinks business, Sally Easton MW reported on the overview of Alex Maltman, professor of earth sciences at Aberystwyth University, who outlined the disconnection between geological minerals and the mineral nutrients required by vines.

Observing that there are 14 such nutrients relevant to vine nutrition, Maltman observed that “these 14 are not the same minerals as geological minerals”.

The New Douro tasting on November 7 aims to take up the subject of minerality in relation to the white Douro wines which are gaining ground on traditional Port wines from the region – particularly among younger wine consumers.

The Douro region’s schist and granite soils, high altitude, continental climate, old vines and distinctive indigenous varieties all contribute to the character of its white wines.

More news…

IMW seminar debunks minerality myth
Minerality ‘only relevant to white wines’

The event, entitled ‘Understanding Minerality: Why White Douro Wines have become so hip’, takes place at 11.30am on 7 November.

In addition, attendees will be able to taste wines from labels such as Casa Ferreirinha, Chryseia, Churchill’s, Duas Quintas, Duorum, Niepoort, Nova Quinta do Sagrado, Poeira, Quinta de la Rosa, Quinta da Boavista & Tecedeiras, Quinta da Gaivosa, Quinta de São José, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Passadouro, Quinta do Pessegueiro, Quinta do Vallado, Quinta dos Murcas, Quinta Nova, Quinta Vale D Maria, Quinta Vale Meão, Real Companhia Velha, Sogevinus, Symington Family Estates, Vertice and Wine&Soul.

The event will also offer those attending the chance to sample Portuguese tapas, or petiscos, prepared by London-based chef Leo Carreira (formerly of Glimpson’s Arch), to gain an insight into traditional Portuguese design and crafts and to discover ‘insider’ travel tips for Oporto and the Douro valley. Portuguese DJs will also be in attendance playing the ‘sound of the New Douro’.

Commenting on the annual tasting, Paul Symington of Symington Family Estates said: “The UK is a key market for all of us in The New Douro.

“For several years we have held our annual tasting in London for the wine trade, but this year we will be opening the tasting later in the day to wine enthusiasts.

“Visitors will not only be able to taste the latest Douro wines, but they can explore Portuguese food, design, music and travel. This will be an evening with the best that the Douro valley has to offer.“

The trade and press session of the New Douro tasting will take place from 11.30am until 5pm. Those wishing to register can do so here.

Consumer tickets cost £20 per person or £60 for four tickets, and are available here.

The consumer session will take place from 5pm until 9pm.

The New Douro, The Vinyl Factory Soho at Phonica Records, 51 Poland St, London W1F 7LZ.