To the bemusement of many observers, The Fladgate Partnership responsible for such ports as Taylor's, Fonseca and Croft, with the Quinta de Vargellas (pictured) their flagship winery, has famously refused to follow the other port producers into fine table wine production in the Douro Valley.
This has seemed particularly perverse when their winemaker, David Guimaraens, is Australian-trained and would, one feels sure, be perfectly suited to making table wines more exciting than the very ordinary, cheap table wine the company currently sells on the Portuguese market.
There are signs, however, that their resolve may just be weakening.
For my article tomorrow about the...