Vintage Report

1991 Vintage Report

The weather cycle in the Douro in 1991 followed a normal pattern. Heavy rainfall in February and March topped up the water table at the end of the Winter. The Spring months were mild with a gradual build-up of heat in May and June providing good flowering conditions. The summer was very hot and dry with maximum temperatures in July and August constantly over 100 degrees Farenheit.

By the middle of August the grape skins were very tough and a day or two of heavy rain was needed to soften the skins and enable the grapes to complete their maturity. Relief came late on 11/12th September with light rain falling throughout the Douro. Although the rain was insufficient it did however clear the oppressive heat and lower the night temperatures. With the exception of further rain in the last week of September the weather remained clear and fine providing perfect vintageing conditions.

We started picking Manuela on 15th September. With its heat-bowl aspect, the grapes here on the old stone wall terraces were beginning to turn to raisins even though their cores had not fully matured. This was also the condition at Fojo where picking started on 19th September. With rain falling on 25th September we decided to delay the Vintage at Agua Alta until the 29th September. This proved to be a wise decision and the resulting wine was intense in colour and powerfully tannic in true Agua Alta style.

When we tasted the 1991 Ports in the Spring of 1992 they were marvellously aromatic and well balanced bur needed to “close up”. During the course of 1992 they closed up remarkably and actually took on an even more purple rim. Bearing in mind that many of our wines were being stored in cask, this transformation was impressive and indicates that 1991’s are Ports of great stamina with potential for longevity.

Our Churchill’s 1991 Vintage blend combines the more mature power of Agua Alta with the elegant aromatically “green tea” styles of Manuela and Fojo. As a vintage I feel it is a wine of great caharacter which will go the full course.

Johnny Graham – May 1993