England's authority on port wine for more than 20 years, Ben Howkins, provides the fourth edition of his best selling book on the subject. Long recognised as the one essential reference on port, this book is required reading for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and other certification programs. It offers a concise history of port and the port trade as it has developed over the last 300 years, describing the all-important features of the soil and climate of the Douro Valley, the species of vine, the cycle of work int eh vineyards and the wine 'lodges' where it matures before being shipped to its worldwide markets.
Written in an anecdotal style, Rich, Rare & Red conveys a wealth of valuable, up-to-date information of interest to the lover of wine, food and travel.
The Author
Ben Howkins was awarded the Vintner's Scholarship in 1963, the youngest person to achieve this award. His experience in Europe's vineyards and working with many leading vintners inspired his commitment to educate others to the enjoyment of wine. He is a member of the Confreria do Vinho do Porto and the Vintners' Company and is wine adivisor at Waddesdon, to Lord Rothschild, co-owner of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
This was a pretty good book on the life and times of Port wines. If you would like to learn more about the wine that you are drinking, this is a good book.