What constitutes a "General Declaration"?

[DRT]

In gathering data for the port declarations database I have started to wonder what criteria is applied when the term "General Declaration" is used to describe a vintage. Until now I believed this was something to do with the number f wines declared but now question that logic.

For example, according to my as yet incomplete and unvalidated data, the following shippers declared in 1982:

1. Andresen
2. Barros
3. Borges & Irmão
4. Cálem
5. Champalimaud Quinta do Côtto
6. Churchill
7. Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Aguias
8. Croft
9. Cruz
10. Dalva (aka Presidential, aka C da Silva)
11. Delaforce
12. Douro Wine Shippers’ and Growers’ Association
13. Dow
14. Feist
15. Ferreira
16. Hooper
17. Quinta do Infantado
18. Kopke
19. Krohn
20. Martinez (Harvey)
21. Messias Quinta do Cachão
22. Niepoort
23. Quinta do Noval
24. Quinta do Noval Nacional
25. Offley Boa Vista
26. Osborne
27. A. Pinto dos Santos
28. Poças
29. Ramos-Pinto
30. Quinta da Romaneira
31. Royal Oporto
32. Rozès
33. Sandeman
34. Cálem Quinta da Foz
35. Dow Quinta do Bomfim
36. Ferreira Quinta do Seixo
37. Fonseca Guimaraens
38. Fonseca Quinta do Cruzeiro
39. Graham Malvedos
40. Martinez Quinta da Eira Velha
41. Taylor Quinta de Terra Feita
42. Taylor Quinta de Vargellas
43. Warre Quinta da Cavadinha

That is 33 classic blend or 1st brand wines plus 10 second brand or SQVPs from major producers.

However, excluding 2 SQVPs by major shippers, only 31 shippers declared 1977.

There are other examples.

[jdaw1]

A general declaration is a year such that, three decades later, there are at least a dozen houses that declared a port such that, if one of those ports was opened for me I would say something like ‟yummy thank you”.

This includes 1970, but excludes 1931, 1982 and 1975.

[DRT]

A general declaration is a year such that, three decades later, there are at least a dozen houses that declared a port such that, if one of those ports was opened for me I would say something like ‟yummy thank you”.

This includes 1970, but excludes 1931, 1982 and 1975.

It is quite impressive that the port producers of 1970 knew exactly what you would find to be yummy 39 years after making their wines. That is a skill that not many people have.

...and exactly how many of the 43 declared vintage ports of 1982 have you tasted to be able to determine that the vintage would not pass your criteria?

[g-man]

...and exactly how many of the 43 declared vintage ports of 1982 have you tasted to be able to determine that the vintage would not pass your criteria?

is that a tasting throwdown i see?

[DRT]

...and exactly how many of the 43 declared vintage ports of 1982 have you tasted to be able to determine that the vintage would not pass your criteria?

is that a tasting throwdown i see?

Oh, no. I've done it now - haven't I?

Anyone for a 43 bottle 1982 horizontal?

[jdaw1]

It is quite impressive that the port producers of 1970 knew exactly what you would find to be yummy 39 years after making their wines. That is a skill that not many people have.

Actually, several people have it, but not in all years. They did in 1970 excellent vintage. Likewise 1963, 1966, and 1985.

...and exactly how many of the 43 declared vintage ports of 1982 have you tasted to be able to determine that the vintage would not pass your criteria?

One, Noval. It tasted like a pastiche of the 1975 vintage, or perhaps a bit worse.

[jdaw1]

Anyone for a 43 bottle 1982 horizontal?

Not if it will cost me even the slightest awkwardness with the boss. I’ll save my special passes for horizontals of general declarations, or at least interesting years.

[Axel P]

Jdaw brought it to a point there. In my opinon this is a very actual and interesting topic due to the possible declaration of 2007.

The IVDP does have an exact definition of a general declared year. I will look it up and get back to this.

But is quality always the unique factor wether a (general) declaration is taking place? Sure not. Everyone who tried some 1975s will agree on this.

The overall market situation does have strong effects on this, too. The market situation in the early 30s led to the fact, that only very few producers declared a 1931 Vintage Port and everyone tried one of those will agree that there should be more out on the market. But the market situation with full stocks of 1927 in the cellars led to a non-declaration-philosophy on the 31, despite the quality.

I would say that 82 brought up some nice to drink Ports today, but is in no way a 77, a 80 nor a 85. But the wines declared in 82 were rarely SQVPs.

Thanks Derek, for a very interesting thread.

Axel

[JacobH]

A general declaration is a year such that, three decades later, there are at least a dozen houses that declared a port such that, if one of those ports was opened for me I would say something like ‟yummy thank you”.

This includes 1970, but excludes 1931, 1982 and 1975.

Shouldn't the term "general declaration" be an objective, rather than subjective test? Otherwise how do we describe 1975? "Erroneous general declaration"?

What about the test being that the majority of the British Association declared their principal wine? Or is that too reactionary in this day and age?

[DRT]

What about the test being that the majority of the British Association declared their principal wine? Or is that too reactionary in this day and age?

I think that is actually the rule that is applied. If you look at any English language reference book on Vintage Port the list of declarations (which is rarely complete and is limited to roughly 3 per decade) are always years in which the major British shippers have declared their premium product. The fact that in most instances this also means that the wines are of a generally higher standard in those years is somewhat coincidental and not always true (need I mention 1975 again!).

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

Up until 1986 it was relatively easy. Independent producers were not allowed to export without putting their wines through Gaia, so basicly, the business was concentrated around the major shippers. If these declared their premium product (so you must exclude SQVP's from the list!) you had a general declaration.

This definition has eroded slightly since. Nowadays there are many more producers who put a vintage port in the market. Some even aim at producing one every year (e.g. Vesuvio, Roriz, Vale Meao). So now it is probably fair to say that you can speak of a general declaration if the major British shippers declare the real thing. In reality, this comes down to TFP and Symington.