Real Men Drink Port and Ladies Do Too! A Contemporary Guide - Hardcover

Ben Howkins

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846891124 ISBN 13: 9781846891120

Publisher: Quiller Publishing Ltd, 2011

Synopsis

In his first book for Quiller, world renowned port writer Ben Howkins guides the reader through the fascinating history of the wine, from its origins through to the present day, and in particular examines the complex persona of the port drinker . Illustrated with Oliver Prestons hilarious cartoons, historical and contemporary facts and numerous amusing anecdotes have been meticulously compiled to produce this hugely informative and entertaining tome. Real Men Drink Port also educates today s wine consumer - exploring the serious side to getting the most pleasure from the wine, by detailing fascinating facts about what goes on behind the scenes at the famous port firms, and guiding readers through eleven essential lists of previously untold must haves .

'An entertaining romp through the myriad traditions and customs that have assembled around this wonderful wine.' Wall Street Journal

'A fun Christmas present for someone interested interested in Portugal's finest fortified wine.' Drinks International

'Ben Howkins guides the reader through the fascinating history of this most glorious of wines and the complex persona of the 'port drinker'.' Countryside

'Here's a book that manages to amuse and entertain. If you want an interesting and complete overview of the Port wine industry without having to read a text book, I can think of no finer tome.' www.snooth.com Top 10 Wine Books for the Holidays

'Agreeable read extolling the myriad virtues of Port.' Circle of Wine Writers

'Port expert Ben Howkins and cartoonist Ollie Preston make this the Christmas drink gift book. In colour throughout, a fascinating guide to the wine.' Gardners Books

'I'll be sure to take Ben's book with me on my future travels - it won't be just any port in a storm as I'll know which is best!' Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE

'One of the great myths about port is that it cannot be drunk after breakfast, lunch or dinner - it can and one feels all the better for it.' Viscount Astor

'Port was my first taste of alcohol on this earth and I will be more than happy if it is my last - especially if I have Ben's book with me!' Guy Pelly

'The French tend to drink port cold or over ice, it's at times like that that I am glad to be British.' Michel Roux, Jr

About this title

Review:

One of the great myths about port is that it cannot be drunk after breakfast, lunch or dinner - it can and one feels all the better for it. --Viscount Astor

This is a whimsical look at the nature of Port enjoyment from the perspective of Englishmen of certain social strata. Think Downton Abbey meets with 21st century. But Ben Howkins offers enough factual and historical explorations to appeal to budding lovers of Port the world over. And wonderful trivia abounds. How many Port aficionados would know about the story that Admiral Lord Nelson, Horatio to his friends, dipped a finger in his glass of Port to draw a map for his basic tactics for the Battle of Trafalgar? The text is illustrated with humorous cartoons by Oliver Preston. Besides a look at British folkways of drinking Port from the 18th century onward, and activities not traditionally associated with this fortified wine (soccer, skiing and hunting), there are also concise synopses of leading Port houses and quintas, the personalities behind them and top vintages to enjoy or cellar. All in all, this easily accessible beginner's guide opens up the rather dusty realm of Port pedagogy to the light of day. Anglophiles will especially enjoy. --Wine Spectator, USA

Howkins sets the tone pretty early on: there are no women but 'ladies', no men but 'gentlemen', in which latter category there are 'Port people', the highest accolade. A Port person seems to be an amalgam of Decanter's Hugh Johnson, actors Oliver Reed and Leslie Phillips and cricketer David Gower: a sort of erudite, sporty, moustache-twirling, devil-may-care British imbiber... It's full of good jokes, such as the teetotal don who said he'd rather commit adultery than drink port: 'The provost replied, so would we all, my dear sir, so would we all, but since we cannot, let us drink a glass of Port'. --Decanter

About the Author:

Ben Howkins was awarded the Vintners’ 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 wrote the International Wine & Food Society’s guide to port – Rich Rare and Red, is a member of the Confreria do Vinho do Porto and the Vintners’ Company and is wine advisor at Waddesdon, to Lord Rothschild, co-owner of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

Oliver Preston's drawings have been published in The Guardian, The Independent, and Punch and he is the regular cartoonist for The Field, The Polo Magazine, the Racing Magazine and Cotswold Life. He has exhibited at The Fine Art Society and has published numerous books and his caricatures hang in many private collections. He is chairman of the Cartoon Museum in London, and set up the Cartoon Art Trust Awards in 1995.

About this edition

• Publisher: Quiller Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1846891124
• ISBN 13: 9781846891120
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192
• Illustrator: Oliver Preston