2022 Vintage Port

2022Harvest Summary

The 2022 Port harvest can best be sumarised as producing small quantities of excellent Ports produced under some of the most challenging conditions ever recorded. Rainfall in the Douro was recorded as being 70% down on average between November 2021 and August 2022. Dry soils were exacerbated by higher-than-average temperatures. In July the Douro experienced the hottest temperature ever recorded in Portugal an astonishing 47C in Pinhao. The impact on the vines was significant and the bunches and berries were smaller than usual but despite this the vines produced grapes whose phenolic ripeness was advanced, and the thin skins of the Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca suggested we could produce wines with good structure.

Harvesting began in late August, which for many producers was the eariest harvest ever. The outlook changed in the first week of September when average daytime temperatures dropped which allowed maturations to progress more evenly and gradually. A short spell of rain interrupted the harvest but those producers who managed the picking well produced some excellent wines.

2022 En-Primeur Offer

Buying En-primeurAlso known as Wine Futures, En Primeur refers to the process of buying wines before they are bottled and released onto the market. Wines are purchased exclusive of Duty and VAT and then usually shipped 2-3 years after the vintage. They can only be purchased by the unmixed case (12 bottles, 24 half bottles, 6 magnums etc.). The opening En Primeur price is almost always considerably cheaper than the future price of the wine on the open market. En Primeur can also be the only way to secure wines that are available in very limited quantities

What exactly do I pay?

The price of the wine is exclusive of Duty and VAT Once the wines arrive in the UK, Duty and VAT can be deferred further if the wine is stored 'in bond' in a registered bonded warehouse. If it is possible that you may re-sell your wines later, it is advisable to store them under bond.

Once the wines arrive we will give you an option to take the port as Duty Paid which means that you will need to pay Duty and VAT at the prevailing rate as well as a small charge for shipping. The current (June 2024) duty on Port wine is £25.68 per case of 6 x 75cl bottles