The Master had first become involved with the joys of Port back in the early seventies and was as excited as the rest of us at the chance of revisiting this great wine producing region and meeting with old friends and colleagues.

We were to benefit from the selfless recce conducted by the Master last year in company with Brian Morrison, Tim Stanley-Clark, and Allan Cheesman whose wife Jan kept the ladies requirements in perspective.

There are a few “must visit” destinations in the wine trade, and the Factory House in Oporto, where we were to have our first night dinner is high on the list with its history, elegance, tradition and treasures, which were eloquently explained by one of our hosts, Alastair Robertson, on our pre dinner tour.

The welcome speech by Paul Symington, after we had enjoyed Grahams 1970 and Taylors 1977 was amusing, historic, and well delivered, and after the Master’s response, during which he presented Paul with an engraved Quaich the scene was set for our historian Charles Minoprio, who in his inimitable style showed the verbal dexterity that equalled Eusebio’s many skills, and left no doubt as to why the UK is the Port trade’s oldest and most valued customer.

We also learnt, with the greatest of joy, that “thimble glasses” have been banned by the major houses and that port should always be served in the largest available glasses! Encouraging with three days to go!

The next morning saw us in Taylors Lodge being briefed on all we thought we knew but had forgotten, not least the different styles of port, the traditional use of the Douro River, and the difference between a barrel and a pipe. We were also let into the secret of the hieroglyphics on the casks, knowledge of which would have been invaluable to any attempting the breaking of the Da Vinci code.

At Grahams we were absolutely spoilt with a tasting that was as memorable as any had experienced. Eight Graham’s Vintage Ports spanning the years 2007 to 1970.

Grahams had thoughtfully prepared, elegant, Distillers personalised tasting brochures, and we were privileged to be tutored by the personable and hugely knowledgeable Johnny Symington who was most generous and amusing with background information to the different vintages and their evolution. A treat indeed, and just when we thought things could not get any better, after the magnificent Grahams 1970, Johnny insisted that we drink a glass of very limited 1952, bottled as Golden Jubilee Tawny with a case sent to the Queen. The power of the wine was all pervading, with dense colour, evocative perfumes and great complexity and length. A treat indeed, and not just because we learnt it is selling for £75 per glass at the Goring Hotel!

Leaving the testing wet cobbles of Oporto behind we enjoyed the train journey to Pinhao, as many have before, where for two days the sun showed the scenic splendour and dramatic terraced vineyards to best affect. None more so than at Quinta do Noval with its stunning “where eagles dare” location.

At Quinta do Bonfim, on the lawns and terrace, we rediscovered the joys of white port as an aperitif before being hosted by Dominic Symington to dinner, as we were again to lunch the next day when having spent a further forty five minutes on the train we arrived at Quinta do Vesuvio, even further and higher up the valley where the excessive summer temperatures are responsible for the “Douro bake” character of the wine. We also learnt that the use of “Quinta” on a label varies from one shipper to the next, but that at Vesuvio every year produces its own vintage wine, as do chateaux in Bordeaux.

The tour ended with a final dinner in our hotel. The successful and enjoyable trip was due to the Master’s enthusiasm for the region, the support of his ever attentive wife Jenny, the knowledge and organisation of his major henchmen, Tim Stanley-Clark, making about his 90th trip to the region and Allan Cheesman, but in particular to the members of the Symington Dynasty who were so generous with their time and knowledge and who made us all so very welcome.

This is to coincide with his 77th birthday. He would appreciate all the assistance he can get to raise £2,000 for this worthwhile charity with which he has been closely associated for the past 10 years since leaving the Trust.

He has a website on which you can learn more and make a tax efficient donation if you so wish. The address is http://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Paviour1.

To those of you more focussed on the UK, the motion, “China is the Heart of Asia”, may seem remote; but it presents a special opportunity to understand the risks and opportunities of tackling a market a hundred times bigger than our own. You will see from the attached flyer that the list of speakers guarantees that this will not be an evening of dry statistics, but of argument about how best to tackle this inscrutable market and the potential black hole in the centre of it. And it ends with some of the cratur!

Please come! Tickets are free but have to be procured from the Assistant Clerk, Kim Lyons in advance.

The Distillers’ City Debate Flyer