After 9 wonderful years of working with Portugal’s generic office we are handing over the reins at the end of the year to concentrate on new projects such as the community building side of DoILikeIt? and organising the Three Wine Men tastings.
I would like to personally thank the JKM team, all the producers, the importers, the hundreds of press and UK trade supporters, and the teams I have worked with at AICEP and ViniPortugal.
We will always have Portuguese wines in our hearts and in our glasses!
We have found a fabulous venue for the Manchester tasting on the 3rd and 4th October – MOSI the Museum of Science and Industry.
It’s very close to the city centre, very atmospheric and is a new and exciting venue for these prestigious wine events.
For more information click here
Check out the new consumer website at www.threewinemen.co.uk
Tickers for The Three Wine Men events are now on sale at www.wegottickets.com
The official figures from the National Statistics Institute of Portugal up to the end of November 2010 have just been released and show spectacular increases in exports by value of 99.1% and by volume of 22.5%
As Portuguese wines continue to gain strength both in the number of new brands arriving on our shores and in the quality of wines Portuguese wines that the British consumer is drinking, we are also seeing even wider distribution with more and more retailers getting on board.
“We have seen new retailers really embracing Portuguese wines this year,” said Tania Oliveira, ViniPortugal’s UK Manager; “companies such as Naked Wines have really adopted Portugal in the last 12 months, and have great plans for 2011. You will see both Asda and Sainsburys increasing their offering of Portuguese wines over the next few months, and the independent sector is as loyal and enthusiastic as ever about the diversity and interest Portuguese wines have to offer their customers.”
Waitrose have been one of Portugal’s longest and most enthusiastic supporters. These results are a just reflection on the hard work and effort Portugal’s producers have given to supporting the UK market. Over the years we have seen great strides from Portugal both in terms of quality of product and in adapting their products for the market. From our part we are looking forward to seeing even more interest in these wines and in continuing to offer Portuguese wines to the UK consumer.
Nick Room, Buyer, Waitrose Ltd
“These figures endorse what importers have been seeing anecdotally in the marketplace over the last year: namely, that retailers and restaurants have seen that consumers are taking Portugal much more seriously, and have responded by offering greater choice in their ranges. Portugal’s fabulous vinous diversity also means that this should be just the start of the UK wine-drinkers journey of discovery, and we’d all hope to build further on these results in the coming years.”
Danny Cameron, Chairman, Association of Portuguese Wine Importers (APWI)
ANNUAL TASTING OF PORTUGUESE WINES
You can enjoy new wines, new producers, new vintages and even meet some new importers of Portuguese wines at their annual tasting on Wednesday 2nd March at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Register at www.jkmarketing.co.uk
FINDING/LISTING YOUR BOTTLES OF PORTUGUESE WINES
Over the last 12 months ViniPortugal has developed its sophisticated web site which helps consumers to find where they can buy Portuguese wines in the UK, as well as offering news, videos and blogs about all things Portuguese. There are more than 1,000 different Portuguese wines listed on the web site which are available in the UK today. Compare this to the handful of wines available only 5 years ago and this in itself is a remarkable increase. Any retailers not listed on this site can be included (for free) by contacting ViniPortugal’s UK office.
The Portuguese wine industry in general, and in the UK especially, is indebted to José Leitao, a wonderful man, who sadly died on New Year’s Eve. ViniPortugal and all his colleagues extend love to José’s family, of whom he was so proud.
From his work with the Portuguese Trade Office, and as a guiding force behind D&F Wine Shippers, Jose has always been at the forefront of the modern face of Portuguese wines. He was instrumental in setting up the Association of Portuguese Wine Importers (APWI) in the UK, as a unique consultative body in the industry. He sat on the board of APWI every year since its inception, and without his enthusiasm, tenacity, knowledge and hard work, the Association could not have performed its pivotal role in helping Portugal stamp its unique vinous character on this market.
There will be a 7th Day Mass at Encarnação Church in downtown Lisbon on the 7th of January at 19h00 and then a funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 5XJ starting at 10.15 on Monday, 17 January followed by cremation at Forest Park Crematorium, Forest Road, Hainault, Essex IG6 3HP.
Thoughts from life-long friend Vasco d’Avillez:
José was born on the 18th of February of 1948, and was always a leader on his own discrete way. José played various musical instruments when we were just kids of 12 and 14 years and with that and his ability to sing he would have the all group of friends behind him with no difficulty. He was always kind and being from a large family of 13 brothers and sisters he learned quickly to share and to negotiate, at all levels.
Very generous he always helped his friends when they were in need or even better he could anticipate his friend’s needs. José was one of the first people to present and sell Portuguese wines in a modern way. He was always very close to the various Ambassadors of Portugal and always there to ensure that wine events could take place at the Portuguese Embassy. He knew everyone in the wine business which he embraced early, certainly more than thirty years ago. He always did well.
I am very proud that we have been close friends since we were both 7 years of age. His Parents and mine started, with other couples, a Roman Catholic movement here in Portugal (Teams of Our Lady) and that meant we saw each other very often, and since then we were always in close contact.
José and Leslie have two children: José and Luisa who are both married. He has a Grandson, not yet one year old, from his son José, and just before he died received with joy the great news that his daughter is expecting a baby. José’s Parents are both alive and shattered by this sad news.
His numerous friends here in Portugal are going to pay homage and say good bye to him at a 7th Day Mass at Encarnação Church in downtown Lisbon on the 7th of January at 19h00
There will then be a funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 5XJ starting at 10.15 on Monday, 17 January followed by cremation at Forest Park Crematorium, Forest Road, Hainault, Essex IG6 3HP.
I end this message asking everyone to join us, wherever you are, on the 7th at 19h00 with a Prayer for José and his family.
This heart felt obituary was written by Vasco d’Avillez, former President of ViniPortugal who was a life-long friend of José’s.
Percy's fate is sealed
It all began with an innocent conversation over lunch at Quinta do Encontro with Carlos Lucas, Dao Sul’s chief winemaker . . . . the offer of a Leitão (Portuguese suckling pig) . . . . . the conundrum of how to get it back to Gatwick was, we were assured, an everyday occurrence. The pig duly delivered to one of Porto’s top hotels was transported to the airport. 
We were misled – it appeared that no-one had ever seen this mad-cap stunt before. But, with a rye smile and much sniggering, EasyJet check-in said Percy could go as hand luggage. Security were expecting him, and gate staff waved him through. But as he grunted up the steps of the aircraft the captain was there to greet him.
I’ll have no pigs on my plane.
Realisation dawned that he was not talking about the other passengers who were decidedly grumpy as their aircraft was delayed whilst staff discussed Percy’s fate. After negotiation he was banished to the hold, never to be seen again, or so we thought until he came riding triumphantly through the doors of the baggage carousel. Percy went home with Rosie Davenport (www.offlicencenews.co.uk) and was enjoyed by a team of carnivores in Hove that evening!
One of the funniest mornings I’ve had in a very long time – anyone got a better animal story?
At the final ‘50 Great’ tasting of 2010 in Edinburgh, Sarah Ahmed officially handed over the ‘ViniPortugal Journalist of the Year’ baton to Tom Cannavan, wine writer and broadcaster.
As winner of the title for 2010, Tom has the task of choosing his own ’50 Great Portuguese Wines’, and has several fact-finding tastings and visits lined up over the next few months.
Tom writes for his online wine magazine ‘Wine-Pages’: over the years ‘Wine-Pages’ has evolved into one of the world’s biggest and most visited sites on the subject of wine, attracting 400,000 unique visitors per month. Tom also writes for publications including Decanter, World of Fine Wine, Harpers Wine & Spirit and Off Licence News.
In the past the Portuguese Journalist of the Year has been given to Richard Mayson, Tim Atkin, Charles Metcalfe, Simon Woods and most recently in 2009 to, Sarah Ahmed ‘The Wine Detective’.
Once Tom has chosen his 50 great Portuguese Wines they will be available to taste at events in 2011, more information can be found at www.jkmarketing.co.uk
The Alentejo is a vast, rural area of flat plains speckled with cork oaks and olive trees. It is really hot in the summer, requiring irrigation for the many and large vineyards. The Alentejo was the standard bearer for Portugal’s wine revolution, adopting modern winegrowing methods.
The region is best known for red wines which are generally full bodied, fruity and suitable for aging. It also grows one of the ‘big five’ grape varieties for port, Aragonez, also known as Tinta Roriz in northern Portugal. White wines are not traditional to the region but with help of the temperature controlled fermentation tanks some very good whites are appearing.
We interviewed wine maker João Portugal Ramos to find out about life in the Alentejo…
Which is your favourite wine that you make in Alentejo?
“My favourite wine would have to be Marquês de Borba Reserva as it’s a elegant wine, but most importantly completely fresh and beautifully balanced.”
3 words to describe this favourite wine?
“Vinosity, complexity, balanced.”
What international food would you match with it?
I love to eat Carré d’Agneau, a lamb recipe roasted with a mustard, rosemary and thyme sauce.
Finally, what do you do when you’re not making wine?
“I spend time with my family and enjoy hunting.”
You can purchase João Portugal Ramos wines from Adnams; log on to www.adnams.co.uk
Why don’t you have a go at making this dish and matching it with Ana’s favorite wine, Marquês de Borba Reserva? Click here for a Carré d’Agneau recipe:
Carré d’agneau a la Provençale – Lamb Provencal
A lamb recipe from Provence for Rack of Lamb roasted with a mustard, rosemary and thyme crust.
Ingredients
• 3 lb. (8 ribs) rack of lamb, frenched
• 3 Tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, very finely chopped
• 1/2 -1/3 cup of soft dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground rosemary
• 2 Tablespoons of finely chopped parsley
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 Tablespoons of Dijon mustard
• Salt & freshly ground pepper
Preparation
1). Preheat oven to 525F.
2). Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet and add the shallots and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, do not allow the vegetables to color.
3). Remove the skillet from heat, add bread crumbs, thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
4). Stir in egg then mustard. Stuffing should hold together in soft mounds.
5). Spread the remaining oil in a roasting pan, add the lamb and turn to coat on all sides.
6). Roast for 9 minutes, turning once so that the lamb browns on both sides.
7). Remove from oven.
8). Spread the stuffing over the fat side of the meat.
9). Return to oven and roast for 8 minutes for rare (internal temp: 130-135). Cook for an additional 5 minutes for well-done.
10). Remove from oven, turn broiler to med-high and broil for about 3 minutes or until crust turns golden brown.
11). Transfer to a warm platter and let sit in 200∞ oven for 5 minutes before carving.
To serve:
Carve roast into 8 chops and arrange on a platter to serve. Goes very well accompanied by tomatoes provenaal. To make the tomatoes: make a another batch of the stuffing, cut 2 tomatoes in half, arrange in an oiled baking dish. Spread the stuffing on the tops and bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes, then broil for 1 minute. They may be served at room temperature.
