Port... a Wine with 374 years

Posted by C.daSILVA / at Tuesday, September 18, 2012 / /

In 1756 the Prime Minister “Marques de Pombal” restricted the Douro Valley region with 335 milestones, distributed along 250.000 hec.

1765, the first register of a Vintage sold at Christie´s.

An IVDP inspector checking C. da Silva Port wines at Vila Nova de Gaia

In 1703 it is signed the Methuen Treaty between Portugal and England. Portugal would pay 1/3 of the exportation duties in the other hand all the textiles should be purchased from England.

1768 - The first fortified Wine shipped in barrels to England.

1775 - The first time when bottled Port has been shipped.

1868 - The philoxera has destroyed almost all the vineyards in Portugal.

In 1932 the Casa do Douro, an Association of vintners, they had the mission of registering all the planted plots in the Douro.

In order to preserve the quality of the Port wine, quality control has became the responsibility of the Institute of Port Wine (IVDP) since 1934.

In 1942 the seal of approval has been created as part of each bottle.

In 1948, a very important person, an Agronomist, mr. Moreira da Fonseca, used the info collected during decades as well as the data of the quantity and quality of the different sub regions.
 

In 1986, the smaller producers were able not only to grow grapes and produce Port, but also bottle and sell their own Port Wines.

IVDP´s lab was completely renovated in 1990 and in 1994 was certified by the Portuguese Institute of Quality. On average, annualy, 5000 samples are taken and about 130 000 analysis made. Analysis made ​​to acidity, ph, reducing sugars, density, color characteristics, sulfur dioxide...

In 2001, the Demarcated Douro Region was classified as Worldwide Heritage by UNESCO.