Against a backdrop of increasing world wine production, the only two countries in Europe which registered a decline in 2018, compared to 2017, were Portugal and Greece.
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) says that there was an overall growth of 19% in European wine production.
Portugal noticeably bucked this trend, showing a drop of 22%, mainly due to the weather that created ideal conditions for vine diseases such as downy mildew and 'oidio,' a generic name given to a set of single-celled fungi.
The OIV says, for Portugal’s production, "It will be the lowest value in the last six years," while production in Greece fell 15%, year-on-year. The Organisation's director general, Jean-Marie Aurand, already has predicted a good year worldwide, with healthy volumes and "a harvest that is likely to help create good wines."
Outside Europe, the main producing countries also saw the level of wine increase this year, such as Argentina + 23%, the United States, up 2%, and New Zealand up 32%.
Australia is the one exception in the worldwide figures, down 9%.
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Many are praying that ports retain their quality this year. The happiness and sanity of many tippler rests on the inherent, almost mystical skills of Douro's craftsmen and women.