Portuguese Table Wines

by Giles MacDonogh

The Portuguese table wines of today bear little resemblance to wines of 20 years ago but their progress and range has remained largely uncharted. This comprehensive work is intended as an introduction and practical guide to the new table wines of Portugal. It examines the history of the country's winemaking from its beginnings to modern day and covers the country region by region, all of which have been visited by the author. In each region he explains the denomina es de origem controlada and also the host of IPRs (Indica o de Proveni ncia Regulamentada) and wines carrying the legend "vinho regional". There are details of the wealth of cultivars unique to the country which puts Portugal in a magnificent position now that the contemporary wine drinker has grown impatient with the endless wines on the market made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The Portuguese have woken up to their unique treasure trove of flavours and textures and Giles MacDonogh guides you on a journey through one of Europe's most exciting new vinous playgrounds. This book relates the story of the quiet revolution that has been taking place in less than a generation.

Hardcover

First published July 24, 2006

About the author

Giles MacDonogh (born 1955) is a British writer, historian and translator.

MacDonogh has worked as a journalist, most notably for the Financial Times (1988–2003), where he covered food, drink and a variety of other subjects. He has also contributed to most of the other important British newspapers, and is a regular contributor to the Times . As an historian, MacDonogh concentrates on central Europe, principally Germany.

He was educated at the City of London School and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read modern history. He later carried out historical research at the École pratique des hautes études in Paris.

MacDonogh is the author of fourteen books, chiefly about German history; he has also written about gastronomy and wine. In 1988 he won a Glenfiddich Special Award for his first book, A Palate in Revolution (Robin Clark) and was shortlisted for the André Simon Award. His books have been translated into French, Italian, Bulgarian, German, Chinese, Slovakian, Spanish, Russian and Polish.
Reviewing 1938: Hitler’s Gamble in Spectator Magazine , Graham Stewart said: "Giles MacDonogh has repeatedly shown himself to be in the front rank of British scholars of German history. The depth of his human understanding, the judiciousness of his pickings from source material and the quality of his writing make this book at once gripping and grave."