Dear Confrades,
We are now coming to the end of 2008, a year full of promotional activities that counted with the presence of our Confraria.
In January, we were present at the BTL 2008 - Tourism Fair of Lisbon that this year drew attention to tourism in the North of Portugal. The Minister of Economy opened the Fair at the Porto Metropolitan Area stand where wine stewards from the IVDP opened bottles of Vintage Port, attended by the Chancellery in full regalia.
Two eminent individuals were distinguished at the Enthronement Ceremony: José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Pascal Couchepin, President of the Swiss Confederation of States, the country that was hosting EURO 2008.
The XXV Rabelo Boat Regatta was held on a magnificent sunny afternoon, displaying a majesty of colour that would delight any painter or photographer.
The CVP Cup at the Oporto Golf Club was a lively event with bottles of Confraria Port Wine as prizes and a most amusing and animated competition in which players had to guess a Mystery Vintage. (Congratulations to the winner, Confrade Assunção Cálem, who displayed a consummate knowledge of vintage years and styles.)
Once again, our heartfelt thanks to all those who actively collaborate with the Confraria and our warmest wishes for a Happy Holiday Season to our Confrades around the world, both near and far.
Let us raise our glasses to the coming New Year:
“Port Wine, the Confraria, the Confrades!”
The Chancellery
ENTHRONEMENT CEREMONY 2008 DEDICATED TO ÁLVARO BALTASAR MOREIRA DA FONSECA
This year, the Enthronement of New Confrades Ceremony was held at 7 p.m. on the 21st of June, in the Bolsa Palace Hall of Nations. The Ceremony honoured Álvaro Baltasar Moreira da Fonseca to whom the Douro Demarcated Region and Port Wine owe so much.
“Moreira da Fonseca’s biography reflects the close bonds that men forge through their lifetimes between the Port Winemaking region and the riverside city of Porto that, for many centuries, has been the natural repository of this wine and whose name has led to the worldwide fame of Port Wine.
A highly-skilled technician, Moreira da Fonseca was, above all, an excellent teacher and disseminator of knowledge. Suffice to peruse his first published work in 1938, the ABC da Vinificação, for us to recognize the author’s notable pedagogic skills.”
An evocative brochure with texts by Professor Gaspar Martins Pereira of the University of Porto was prepared for the occasion and distributed to the Confrades.
The following individuals were enthroned by the Chancellery:
Rank of Cancelário: – José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission – Pascal Couchepin, President of the Swiss Confederation of States;
ENTHRONEMENT CEREMONY 2008 DEDICATED TO ÁLVARO BALTASAR MOREIRA DA FONSECA
Rank of Infanção: – Denis Delbourg, French Ambassador to Portugal – Fernando Andresen Guimarães, National Coordinator of UNESCO – Eurico Paes, Portuguese Ambassador to Switzerland – Isabel Marrana, Executive Director of the AEVP
Rank of Cavaleiro: – Celeste Monteiro - Coordinator of the IVDP Presidency Secretariat – Ema Pinto, employed by the AEVP since 1987, currently member of the Marketing Bureau and as such, collaborator of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto – Fernando Sousa Baptista, Professor at the Porto Conservatory of Music and who coordinates the musicians who for many years have played at the Confraria ceremonies – Jaime Filipe Barbosa, Professor at the Coimbra Conservatory of Music and a member of the group of musicians who for many years have played at the Confraria ceremonies – José Moreira Borges, Professor of Music at the ARTAVE Vocational School and a member of the group of musicians who for many years have played at the Confraria ceremonies – Manuel Luís Azevedo, Professor at the Porto Conservatory of Music and a member of the group of musicians who for many years have played at the Confraria ceremonies – Jorge Castro, photographer who has accompanied all the events organized by the Confraria do Vinho do Porto since 1988.
Also enthroned at this Ceremony, as proposed by various Confrades: 8 with the rank of Mestre, 12 with the rank of Experto and 33 with the rank of Cavaleiro.
The Ceremony proceeded with the usual pageantry and dignity that is typical of the Port Wine sector.
ENTHRONEMENT CEREMONY 2008 DEDICATED TO ÁLVARO BALTASAR MOREIRA DA FONSECA
Following the ceremony, a mounted (6 horses) Guard of Honour from the Republican Guard and the Tiago Perfeito marching band led the parade of Confrades and their guests to the Customs House Building. Two antique tram cars were provided for those who preferred to ride to the venue.
Aperitifs were served in the Formal Hall and on the riverside terrace. The Gala Dinner and Dance was held in the Sala das Furnas.
Dinner menu: – Turbot with a fine herbs and algae crust on a bed of wild mushrooms - White Wine 2007 - Moscatel Galego - Quinta do Vallado; – Filet mignon covered with slightly melted fresh foie gras, accompanied by gratinéed potatoes with black truffles - Altano Red Wine - Reserva 2005 -Symington Family Estates; – Spoon of Serra cheese, Ilhas cheese stick and breaded Camembert with Douro figs jelly - Vintage 1994; – Crystallized Roses ice-cream - 20 Years Old Tawny Port; – Coffee, black and herbal tea, small squares of chocolate of different kinds.
After Hours : Chicken consommé with mint leaves and small steaks with garlic in buns - accompanied by the same table wine that was served at dinner
XXV RABELO BOAT REGATTA
The XXV Confraria Regatta da Confraria was held on the 24th of June, the festival of St. John, the patron saint of the city. It was a sunny afternoon, the River Douro was full of activity and crowds of curious onlookers lined both banks.
The race started at 5 p.m. from the Cabedelo, the sandbank at the mouth of the river, as usual, with a good strong wind. Despite a few contretemps, it was a very close race for first place and the boats crossed the finish line around 6 p.m.
Sixteen boats belonging to the shippers participated this year: Sogevinus, SPR, QVB, Symington, Gran Cruz, Sogrape and Cockburn’s. Ferrão belonging to Sogevinus was the winner.
The Chancellery’s guests followed the entire race with much merriment and good fun from the Douro Azul, a river boat with a capacity for 350 people. Several types of Port were served (White, Ruby and Port and Tonic).
At the end of the race, prizes were awarded and the respective family photograph was taken in front of Sandeman’s lodges. The Lavradeiras Sta. Maria Adelaide folk dancing group provided entertainment.
The day’s events ended with a dinner at Sandeman’s for the crews, guests and Confrades.
CONFRARIA DO VINHO DO PORTO CUP OPORTO GOLF CLUB
The Chancellery decided to reactivate the Confraria do Vinho do Porto Cup – Oporto Golf Club that was held in Espinho on the 28th of June.
The first of the 90 golfers teed off at 8h30 a.m. The rules of play were the following:
According to Stableford rules, the handicap limits are 24 for men and 32 for women. In the event of a tie, the Net prize is awarded to the player with the lowest handicap and the Gross prize, to the player with the highest handicap. If the tied players have the same handicap, the winner is the golfer with the best scores on the last two, nine, six or three holes.
The competition was reserved for golfers over 18 years of age and was open to all confrades and to all golfers members of the Portuguese Golf Federation and to foreigners, as long as these could present a certificate confirming their handicap.
The event ended with a luncheon, the awarding of the prizes at the club and a tasting of Vintage Ports.
The Confraria awarded the following prizes: − 1st Net - CVP decanter, 6-bottle case of different CVP Vintage Ports and 6 Siza Vieira Port glasses; − 2nd Net - 3 bottles of different CVP Vintage Ports; − 1st Gross - case of 6 bottles of CVP Vintage Port and 6 Siza Vieira Port glasses;
− Best net score by a Confrade (effective or honorary): 6-bottle case of different CVP Vintage Ports and 6 Siza Vieira Port glasses; − Ball closest to the 16th hole: 3 bottles of different CVP Vintage Ports; − Longest drive for the 17th hole: 3 bottles of different CVP Vintage Ports;
In addition to the above, all competitors were invited to a tasting of Vintage Ports produced by different shippers during the classic years of 1994 to 1997, taken from the Confraria cellar. These wines were decanted by IVDP wine stewards and tasted by all throughout the day at the Club restaurant.
Participants were also invited to taste a Mystery Vintage Port for which each competitor received a sheet giving details of various years and different shippers. The contestant(s) who correctly identified the Mystery wine were rewarded with 3 bottles of that Port. Assunção Cálem was the sole winner and only Confrade to correctly identify the Mystery Vintage Port.
The results of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto Golf competition were as follows:
1st Place Net: Raimundo Oliveira – 41 2nd Place Net: Tânia Machado Silva – 40
1st Place Overall Gross: Manuel Violas – 33
Best Net Score by a Confrade: António Bissaia Barreto – 39
Longest Drive 17th hole: José Oliveira
Ball closest to the 16th hole: Joaquim Paula Marques
DINNER PARTY FOR CONFRADES
A dinner party attended by 50 Confrades, including the entire Chancellery, and their partners, was held at Graham’s lodges.
This dinner was the occasion to render honour Jorge Monteiro, ex-President of the IVDP, to whom the Confraria do Vinho do Porto offered a wood presentation case containing 6 bottles of Vintage 1999 from its cellars, this being the year in which Jorge Monteiro began his career with the IVDP:: − 1bottle A.A. Ferreira, 1 bottle J.W. Burmester, 1 bottle Osborne, 1 bottle Barão de Vilar, 1 bottle Forrester, 1 bottle Castelinho
The menu was as follows:
Aperitifs − Codfish balls, croquettes, rissoles, goat cheese on toast and red bell pepper chutney – Graham’s Extra Dry and Graham’s Porto Tonic Starter − Cream of carrot and pumpkin soup with coriander – Altano Douro DOC 2007 Branco Entrée − Roast loin of pork with plums, roast potatoes and puréed greens – Altano Douro DOC Reserva 2006 Tinto Sobremesa Dessert − Black chocolate mousse – Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage 2003; − Serra and Ilhas Cheese – Graham’s Vinho do Porto Vintage 1977
EVENTS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES – NEWS
16 A 20.01.2008 – 20TH EDITION OF THE BTL– BOLSA DE TURISMO DE LISBOA, AT THE FIL
A schedule of proposals was presented following a meeting of the Town Councillors for Tourism from the Greater Porto Metropolitan Area, which recognizes the need to promote the resources and products of each municipality. The Borough of Vila Nova de Gaia was granted the privilege of presenting something of relevance to the borough on the opening day of the Fair, Wednesday, January 16th.
Considering that Port Wine is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Portugal, that over the years Port has been held to be a key product of the domestic economy and that the Port Wine Lodges are a major tourist attraction in Vila Nova de Gaia, it was felt that the ceremony of decanting a bottle of Vintage with hot tongs would have a major visual impact on both the public and professionals at this event.
Hence, at 6 p.m. on the inaugural day, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, represented by the Chancellor, Dr. Francisco Javier Olazabal and the Keeper of Customs, Manuel Magalhães Ferreira, in full regalia, and other dignitaries gathered at the Porto Metropolitan Area pavilion and the Vila Nova de Gaia Tourism stand to see IVDP wine stewards decant 4 bottles of Vintage in this manner. The ceremony was followed by a tasting of these wines. The Confraria do Vinho do Porto was represented by the Chancellor, Dr. Francisco Javier Olazabal and the Steward of Customs, Manuel Magalhães Ferreira, in full regalia.
18.01.2008 – THEMATIC SEMINAR: TOURISM IN THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL AND THE CASE OF THE DOURO VALLEY - A PRIORITY TOURIST ATTRACTION - POLICIES, STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND CASE STUDIES
The Seminar began at 2:30 p.m. with the following program: – Regional Pact for the Competitiveness of the North – Carlos Lage, Chairman of CCDR-N (Coordinating Committee for Regional Development - North of Portugal) and responsible for managing the Mission Structure for the Douro. – Policies and Strategic Guidelines for Developing Tourism in the North of Portugal: Action Plan
Plan for the Development of Tourism in the Douro Valley 2007-2013 - Priority tourist attraction - Ricardo Magalhães, Project Manager for the Mission Structure for the Douro. – The Douro Brand of Tourism – Melchior Moreira, Chairman of the South Douro Tourist Region.
Following a discussion of these and other subjects, the Seminar was closed at 4:45 p.m. by Vitor Neto, Chairman of the BTL Organizing Committee.
Dr. Francisco Javier Olazabal, Chancellor, represented the Chancellery.
08.02.2008 – HOMAGE TO BERNARD PIVOT AT THE FRANCO-PORTUGUESE INSTITUTE OF LISBON
A reception in honour of Bernard Pivot was held at 7 p.m. on February 8th at the Franco-Portuguese Institute of Lisbon, during which special mention was made of his book Dicionário Sentimental do Vinho [Sentimental Dictionary of Wine]. The occasion ended with a wine tasting.
The Chancellery of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, informed of this event by Confrade Manuel Pintão, felt that this would be the ideal occasion to present him with a Letter of Intent inviting him to be enthroned with the rank of Cavaleiro.
EVENTS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES – NEWS
Accordingly, the Keeper of Customs, Manuel Magalhães Ferreira, attended this homage during which he spoke to thank the Institute for giving him the opportunity to be there and explaining the reason for his presence on this occasion. In a short speech, he described the origins and objectives of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto and he stated how honoured the Confraria do Vinho do Porto was to be able to present Mr. Pivot with the aforementioned Letter of Intent.
13.02.2008 – WORLD LAUNCHING OF CROFT PINK – QVB
Dr. António Vasconcelos, Inspector of Weights and Measures, was present on behalf of the Chancellery of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, by invitation from Adrian Bridge, QVB, at the launching ceremony of Croft Pink, held at 5:30 p.m. at the Croft Lodges.
26.02.2008 – EMBASSY OF THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE EU – COREPER
On February 26th, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto sent a gift box containing: 1 bottle 20 Years Old Confraria Port, 1 bottle 1991 Confraria Vintage Port, 1 bottle of Dry White Port, 1 portfolio of Cancelários, 1 CD of the Enthronement Ceremony of the Ambassadors, 1 photograph of each Ambassador with the Chancellor, Dr. Francisco Javier Olazabal taken after the enthronement, to each Ambassador at the Embassy of the permanent representatives to the EU, namely:
– Ambassador Álvaro Mendonça e Moura of Portugal, Ambassador Hans-Dietmar Schweisgut of Austria, Ambassador Jean de Ruyt of Belgium, Ambassador Claus Grube of Denmark, Ambassador Raul Malk of Estonia, Ambassador Eikka Kosonen of Finland, Ambassador Pierre Sellal of France, Ambassador Edmund Duckwitz of Germany, Ambassador Bobby McDonagh of Ireland, Ambassador Rocco Antonio Cangelosi of Italy, Ambassador Normunds Popens of Latvia, Ambassador Rytis Martikonis of Lithuania, Ambassador Martine Schommer of Luxemburg, Ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana of Malta, Ambassador Tom de Bruijn of Holland, Ambassador Jan Tombinski of Poland, Ambassador Lazar Comanescu of Romania, Ambassador Maros Sefcovic of Slovakia, Ambassador Igor Sencar of Slovenia, Ambassador Carlos Bastarreche of Spain, Ambassador Sven-Olof Petersson of Sweden, Ambassador Catherine Day, Assistant Secretary General of the Council of Europe Hervé Jouanjean, Assistant Director General of the Council of Europe Jim Cloos.
The Ambassador of Slovenia (current Presidency of the EU) was also sent 6 bottles of Confraria Vintage 1991 in commemoration of that country’s independence that year, following the break-up of Yugoslavia.
05.04.2008 – VII CHAPTER MEETING OF THE TRIPAS À MODA DO PORTO WINE & FOOD BROTHERHOOD
The Chancellery was invited to attend the VII Chapter Meeting of the ‘Tripe, Porto style’ wine and food brotherhood, that was held at the Bolsa Palace at 6:30 p.m. on April 5th.
The meeting was followed by dinner in the Hall of Nations at 8:30 p.m.
Confrade Manuel Pintão, in full regalia, represented the Confraria do Vinho do Porto.
EVENTS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES – NEWS
30.04.2008 – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FCBP
Representatives of the Bacchanalian Brotherhoods met at Quinta da Boeira at 11 a.m. on April 30th, for the Annual General Meeting of their Federation, the FCBP. The Agenda for the Meeting was the presentation, discussion and approval of the Annual Report, Accounts and Report of the Fiscal Committee for 2007.
Dr. Francisco Olazabel, Chairman of the Fiscal Committee and Chancellor of the Confraria was present.
30.04.2008 – LAUNCHING OF CHEF HÉLIO’S BOOK: O COZINHEIRO DO REI DOM JOÃO VI
Chef Hélio, an Honorary Confrade with the rank of Infanção, launched his book on King João VI’s Chef at 6:30 p.m. on April 30th, at the VIP Lounge of the Porto Palácio Hotel.
To mark this occasion, the Confraria sent 18 bottles of CVP Vintage 1994, a portfolio of Cancelários, a CVP brochure and a copy of the Portuguese edition of João Paulo Martins’ book.
08.05.2008 – INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOURISM AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2007/2013: THE CASE OF THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL
An international conference on Tourism and Regional Development 2007/2013: The Case of the North of Portugal was held at 9 a.m. on May 8th at the Porto Sheraton Hotel. Dr. Francisco Olazabel, Chancellor of the Confraria, was present in representation of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, by invitation from Joana Baldaque.
24.05.2008 – ENTHRONEMENT IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONFRARIA DO VINHO VERDE
The 20th Anniversary Ceremony of the Confraria do Vinho Verde was held at 4 p.m. on May 24th, in the Library of the Seminário Maior. The occasion was marked by a homage to the founding confrades, the twinning and enthronement of new confrades, a solemn Mass, parade and a Gala Dinner at the Porto Palácio Hotel.
Confrade Rui Barbosa was present in representation of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto.
20.06.2008 – X PORTO CARTOON WORLD FESTIVAL
The award ceremony for this festival was held at 6 p.m. at the Museu de Imprensa do Porto. The 1st Prize was awarded to Augusto Cid, from Portugal, with his cartoon A Chama Olímpica, who received a wood presentation case containing 6 bottles of CVP Vintage – 2 bottles each of Vintage 1991, Vintage 1994 and Vintage 2003, a gift from the Confraria do Vinho do Porto.
EVENTS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES – NEWS
04.07.2008 – “DONA ANTÓNIA ADELAIDE FERREIRA” PRIZE
The award ceremony for the 2007 Dona António Adelaide Ferreira Prize was held at 7 p.m. on July 4th, at Casa Ferreirinha, in the presence of the Jury for the prize and the Board of Directors. The award was delivered to Maria Isabel Jonet .
The ceremony was presided by Professor Fátima Barros and followed by a formal dinner.
Dr. Francisco Olazabal, Chancellor of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto was also present as a member of the jury.
The “Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira” Prize was awarded to Mme. Maria Isabel Jonet.
21.10.2008 – INAUGURATION OF THE NEW PRESIDENCY OF THE IVDP
The headquarters of the IVDP in Regua were the venue for the inauguration of the new Presidency of the IVDP - Dr. Luciano Vilhena Pereira e Eng Paulo Osorio. Dr. Francisco Javier Olazabal, Chancellor, was present in representation of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto.
27.11.2008 – PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE EDIFÍCIO GRAN CRUZ – CENTRO MULTIMÉDIA
A convite do Presidente da Câmara Municipal de Vila Nova de Gaia, Luís Filipe Menezes e da Gran Dr. Francisco Javier Olazabal, Chancellor, was present in representation of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto at the public presentation of the Edifício Gran Cruz – Centro Multimédia, Largo Miguel Bombarda, Vila Nova de Gaia, by invitation from the Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, Luís Filipe Menezes, and Gran Cruz, in association with CidadeGaia – Soc. de Reabilitação Urbana, E.E.M.
SPECIAL CONFRARIA PRODUCTS
Umbrella, Standard Size: € 15,00 Umbrella, Golf Size: € 25,00 Silk ties with the Confraria emblem: € 15,00 Ladies’ silk scarf with the Confraria emblem: € 23,00 Lapel pins with and w/o long pin: € 20,00 Metal badge of rank – Mestre and Experto: € 5,00 Crystal Decanter with engraved Confraria emblem: € 95,00