This book is one of a series of small handbooks forming “Constable Wine Library”, covering the principle wines of Champagne, Claret, Madeira, Port and Sherry.
Nice to have if you find a cheap copy.
Publisher: Constable and Company Ltd., London
Edition: 1934
Pages: 130
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This is a great little book that includes a fold-out chart measuring around 12 inches (30cm) square described as “A Diagrammatic Summary of Port Imports from 1678 to the Present Day” and headed “Curves of Port Imports Plotted for every Decade from 1678 to 192-”.
A very interesting and amusing book, which is generally available at modest cost.
Publisher: Jonathan Cape, London
Edition: 1926
Pages: 95
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This is an expanded version of the author’s earlier Practical Handbook on Port Wine (1925).
This book is partly historical but principally deals with the technical aspect of the port production process with a fair smattering of statistics and seven pages dedicated to the quality of port vintages from 1800 to 1934, each of which is rated on the scale: Very Bad, Bad, Ordinary, Fair, Very Fair, Good, Very Good or Very Fine Indeed.
A very interesting little book, but unfortunately scarce and expensive to acquire.
Publisher: Harper & Co., London
Edition: 1936
Pages: 174
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This is perhaps the earliest book written entirely on the subject of Port wine, with earlier books focusing more on the trade, personalities, politics and history rather then the wine itself.
The author was Technical Director and Manager of Van Zellers & Co., Ltd., of Oporto.
This is a fascinating read for anyone interested in Port but, unfortunately, copies are scarce and quite expensive to acquire.
Publisher: Harper & Co., London
Edition: 1925
Pages: 60
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A very good starting point for port lovers to begin reading on the subject, but also an enjoyable read for the more experienced. Originally published in 1982, with revised editions published in 1987 and 2003.
Publisher: The Wine Appreciation Guild, USA
Edition: 2003
Pages: 169
ISBN: 1-891267-63-9
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An amusing and informative romp through the world of Port, beautifully illustrated by Oliver Preston.
I am pleased to report that I was one of the “Port heads” (p166) interviewed by the author prior to the publication of this entertaining little book. A good option for someone looking for something to pass the time on a flight to Oporto!
Publisher: Quiller
Edition: 2011
Pages: 176
ISBN: 978 1 84689 112 0
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The full title of this book is Oporto Older and Newer, being a tribute to the British community in the north of Portugal in continuation of “Oporto Old and New” by Charles Sellers.
I have not yet read this book cover to cover but a quick browse through its pages reveals that it is very much focused on the people and the lifestyle rather than the business of the Port wine trade.
This is a very rare book and in my view is not worth the money you would have to pay for it unless you are obsessed with collecting books about Port.
Publisher: Chichester Press Ltd
Edition: 1966
Pages: 110
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A lovely old book which includes a large number of coloured prints and chapters on Port, Oporto, Vila Nova de Gaia and the Douro.
Publisher: Archibald Constable and Co. Ltd.
Edition: 1909
Pages: 405
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A historic account of the country, its people and its principle industries including a very interesting section on port and the port trade. C
onsidering its age, this book is normally available at a reasonable price.
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Edition: 1880
Pages: 386
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A series of letters from Lieutenant-General Sir William Warre, written principally to his mother and father during the Peninsular War, as complied by his nephew, the Rev. Edmond Warre in 1909. A fascinating first-hand account of a traumatic period in Portugal’s history.I have included this in the port section simply because of the family link to the port shipper Warre & Co.
Also available as a facsimile re-print.
Publisher: John Murray, London
Edition: 1909
Pages: 312
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