Douro Port Producers Warn of a Deepening Crisis

The Times reports that Portugal’s Douro Valley, the historic home of port, is under pressure from falling consumption, rising costs and a disputed law that would require port to be fortified only with brandy distilled from Douro grapes. Producers argue that the change could sharply increase costs and damage sales, while supporters say it could help local growers, leaving the region facing a difficult debate over how to modernise without undermining its traditional economy.