Latest news with #Symington
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Two great table wines from a family with port pedigree
The Symington family is one of the most successful English/Portuguese producers of port, with a portfolio that includes Graham's, Warre's, Dow's, Cockburn's and Quinta do Vesuvio. They also produce table wines made from the same vineyards in the Douro valley, but much lower in alcohol. As well as these two, O'Briens has the excellent Altano Rewilding Red 2.5-litre Bag in Box for €36.95 and the equally good Altano Organic Red for €18.95 a bottle. [ Is wine from the United States good? ] Altano Branco 2022, Symington, Douro Altano Branco 2022, Symington, Douro 13.5% €15.95 down to €12.50 from O'Briens Medium-bodied with attractive peach fruits and good fresh acidity. Enjoy with grilled sardines, mackerel and other oily fish. Altano Tinto 2022, Symington, Douro Altano Tinto 2022, Symington, Douro 13.5% €15.95 down to €12.50 from O'Briens Smooth, rich dark fruits with a spicy note. Plenty of flavour and a pleasure to drink. Try it with a barbecued burger or roast red meats.
Hamilton Spectator
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Conservative support growing in Sudbury, Symington says
Despite considerable gains for the Conservative Party across Canada in Monday's federal election, the momentum was not enough to flip the traditionally Liberal-leaning Sudbury riding. Locally, the Conservatives made a leap, capturing 40 per cent of the vote, nearly doubling their support in a few short years. This time, the party finished second, pushing the NDP into a distant third with less than 10 per cent of the vote, signalling a shift in local politics even though the Liberals held onto the seat with about 50 per cent of the vote. While disappointed by the loss, Conservative candidate Ian Symington expressed pride in the campaign's achievements. 'We had a great team and we had a lot of fun this time,' he said late Monday night with supporters at Lot 88 Steakhouse. 'Our crew this time round was so much more motivated. Yes, I'm disappointed but it's a tough city. It's not built for people like me, maybe, on the political side of things.' Symington, a family doctor, said he will not put his name forward in the next election. He extended his congratulations to re-elected Liberal MP Viviane Lapointe and wished her well as she continues to serve the riding. However, he also offered words of caution to Lapointe and the returning government to exercise fiscal responsibility and avoid overspending. 'I got into this because I'm concerned,' he said about his reason for running in this election. 'I am hoping that we see the Conservatives and the Bloc put the balance in power because I don't want a Liberal-NDP-Green coalition because that will be extremely expensive … it worries me.' Symington also said he was concerned that while Sudbury remains a Liberal stronghold, it is now surrounded by ridings, like Manitoulin-Nickel Belt and Kapuskasing-Timmins, that have elected Conservative candidates, creating a political divide in the region. Campaign manager Todd Robson said he wouldn't have changed anything about the campaign's strategy. He said the party has made significant strides locally in both federal and provincial elections and that there is only room for further growth. Over the last 10 years, and the last four federal elections held in the Sudbury riding, the Conservatives have placed third, trailing behind the Liberals, who have maintained power, and the NDP, who, until now, held steady at second. In 2015, the Conservatives earned about 21 per cent of the vote. In 2019, their support dipped slightly to 20.6 and then in 2021, as Symington became the party's candidate, they increased to 27.7 per cent of the vote, still half of what the Liberals pulled in at the time. Although Conservative support grew between 2019 and 2021, their overall position in Sudbury remained steady, consistently finishing third. That changed Monday as NDP support fell dramatically and Conservatives shared the majority of votes with the Liberals, mirroring the national outcome. Symington had garnered 18,915 votes with 228 of 247 polls reporting, while Lapointe had 23,508 - or almost half the ballots cast. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government. Bluesky: @ X: @SudburyStar
CBC
17-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Trade, housing and economic development the focus at Sudbury candidates debate
The three main party candidates running in the federal election in the Sudbury riding all agreed on some key issues facing the city and the country when they sat down for a debate Wednesday evening. Asked about encouraging inter-provincial trade, Liberal incumbent Viviane Lapointe said the biggest barrier has been a lack of cooperation and no strong incentives for provinces to trade with each other. "They actually saw themselves as competitors, but suddenly now you have a common enemy," said Lapointe. "And that common enemy is the Trump administration. And now premiers really and truly are coming to the table and recognizing the value in being able to work together." In response, the NDP's Nadia Verrelli blamed the federal government for historically overstepping, suggesting they need to step back and let provinces handle trade among themselves as partners and not enemies. Conservative Ian Symington pointed to the fact that reducing trade barriers is supported across all party lines. "We all want to get rid of inter-provincial trade barriers. They are barriers. They're not tariffs in the sense, but they act the same way," Symington told the crowd at the event organzied by the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. Attracting investments and speeding up permitting processes Many questions focused on the importance of attracting new businesses and investments to Sudbury, particularly when it comes to the mining and critical mineral sections. Verrelli said the economy needs to diversify and she suggested the best way to do that is for Ottawa to listen to the needs of municipalities. "The federal government needs to use its federal spending power and transfer money to municipalities so that they're able to put the projects in place to get small and medium sized businesses here in Sudbury and to support small and medium size businesses," said Verrelli. Lapointe pointed to her party's successes over the years with increases to FedNor grants and new programs like the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment program and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program. "Those are all very important tools for avenues for our businesses and attracting businesses as well as helping existing businesses and helping businesses to expand," explained Lapointe. Critical minerals and the Ring of Fire mineral deposits in northwestern Ontario were also brought up several times by the candidates, with Lapointe and Symington both agreeing that permitting processes need to be sped up to get more projects approved. "Red tape doesn't mean environmental issues. It doesn't mean blowing through the environment, it doesn't mean not consulting with our Indigenous partners. What it means is getting things off of bureaucrats desks and into the workplace," said Symington. "So right now in Canada, it can take up to 8 to 10 years to open a new mine and that's too long," Lapointe said. "And that has been the case for decades in our country. And we know that we need to reduce that." The housing crisis An audience question that was read by the moderator asked the candidates what they see as the reasons behind the housing crisis and what they could do to help. While Symington referred to Canada's high immigration numbers over the last few years as a main reason for the housing shortage, Verrelli said a lack of investment in housing from both the provincial and federal government have contributed to low inventory. "We're seeing that it's a building of those big mega mansions, those unaffordable homes," said Verrelli. "What we need to do is we need to invest in affordable, sustainable living. We need to build homes and apartments that everyday people can afford." Lapointe pointed to the Liberal government's $130 million in investments for housing projects in Sudbury over the last few years, including current developments like the Manitou project and the new seniors housing complex in Coniston. Protesters interrupt closing remarks As the moderator asked candidates to begin their closing remarks, protesters stood up in the audience at College Boreal and demanded to know why audience questions about the government's approach to the conflict in Gaza were not answered during the debate. One man repeatedly interrupted the moderator and candidates, asking them to clarify their stances, to which none of the candidates responded.
Telegraph
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Council backtracks after rejecting ‘elitist' VE Day anniversary parade
A council has backtracked after it rejected a planned military parade to mark the eightieth anniversary of VE Day as 'too elitist'. Dacorum borough council in Hertfordshire caused outrage by refusing to hold a military march on May 8 – despite holding a 'spectacular' parade through Hemel Hempstead to mark the council's 50th birthday last year. Critics argued that the decision showed disrespect to those who served in the Second World War and their families. But now the council has said it would 'do whatever it takes to put on a parade'. Sally Symington, the new Liberal Democrat leader of the council, said: 'I am deeply proud of our community's role in the Allied victory in Europe eighty years ago, and in our armed forces heritage. 'That's why I and my cabinet have asked council officers to look again at their decision and do whatever it takes to put on a parade, as well as the street parties I hope lots of neighbourhoods take part in. 'VE Day is a time to bring Hertfordshire and the country together, especially in this era of uncertainty and division. That's why I have taken action in this case.' A source said the original decision had been made on cost grounds and that the leader of the council had now written to the administration requesting that a VE Day parade be held. The climbdown comes after Ms Symington's colleague Caroline Smith-Wright told a council meeting on April 2: 'We have decided at this point to enable communities to come together and have street parties and I think that is for the community, that is for everyone, that encompasses everybody – it doesn't just leave the elite and people to just, kind of, parade. 'This is about normal people celebrating in their communities, bringing people together, sharing food, sitting at a table, celebrating and I think that's a fine way to celebrate VE Day'. The decision was condemned by opposition councillors on all sides. Graeme Elliot, a Tory councillor, said: 'I'm very dismayed about the lack of celebrations. My father fought in that war. I had an uncle who died in the Battle of France. That was the golden generation. So you think 50 years of a council is far more important than the men and women who gave their lives?' Pete Hannell, a Labour councillor, said the council should reconsider its position to honour the 'sacrifices' made, adding: 'My children and grandchildren are facing a war in Europe now where the aggressor is being appeased in the way that Chamberlain was arguably appeasing Hitler in 1938.' Jan Maddern, an independent, added: 'I'm quite dismayed by this as well. We missed in effect the 75th anniversary of VE Day because we were in Covid. I can remember having street parties where we all sat on our drives in my cul-de-sac, safe distancing from everyone else. I think we should do better.' The Liberal Democrats took control of the council last May but have been mired by controversy after two council leaders were forced to stand down amid allegations of misogyny and bullying. Eight female Liberal Democrat councillors accused the leadership of failing to adequately deal with the claims and went independent, leaving the council with no overall control.
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Is the Douro ready to step out of Port's shadow?
The Douro Valley is a place of extremes. Heat that shimmers off the schist, slopes so steep they'd give a mountain goat vertigo, a river that slices through the landscape like a well-aimed sabre. It's been a wine region for over 2,000 years, but for much of its modern history, it's been known for one thing: Port. A drink of tradition and status, Port built the Douro, lining the cellars of British aristocrats and keeping the merchants of Vila Nova de Gaia busy for centuries. But the region is evolving, and if there's one family proving that the Douro is more than just fortified wine, it's Symington. For over 140 years, they've been at the forefront of Port production, but these days, they're just as focused on what happens outside the barrel. The Symington legacy: A family that built the Douro To understand where the Douro is heading, it helps to know who's been steering the ship for more than a century. Symington Family Estates is the name behind some of the region's most storied Port houses – Graham's, Dow's, Warre's, Cockburn's – but their roots run even deeper. It all started in 1882 when a young Scotsman, Andrew James Symington, arrived in Portugal and embedded himself in the world of Port. He married into a family with Port-producing heritage stretching back to the early 1800s, and his descendants have been shaping the Douro ever since. Five generations later, Symington remains a family-run business, now led by the fourth and fifth generations. In a changing of the guard, Rob Symington has recently stepped up as co-CEO alongside head winemaker Charles Symington. Together, they continue to balance tradition with innovation, proving that the Douro's greatest strength isn't just its history – it's its ability to adapt. A valley built on Port, but just that anymore Port has always been the Douro's crown jewel, but the valley's winemaking history is far older. The Romans first planted vines here, no doubt impressed by the sheer drama of the landscape. But it was in the 17th century that the Douro cemented itself as a major player in the wine world, thanks to a row between Britain and France that left the former in need of a new supplier. Enter Portugal, where wines were not only plentiful but – when fortified with brandy – travelled well. The rest, as they say, is history. By the 18th century, Port was big business, leading to the world's first officially demarcated wine region, regulated by the Marquês de Pombal. The Douro became a land of law and order, at least where winemaking was concerned. Yet despite its long winemaking history, unfortified Douro wines were largely an afterthought until relatively recently. That's changing – fast. So, can the Douro really do fine wine? A few decades ago, suggesting that the Douro could compete with Bordeaux or Napa in the fine wine stakes might have earned you a look of polite disbelief. But today, it's happening, and Symington is leading the charge. The shift isn't just a marketing ploy. The region's indigenous grape varieties – Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz – have been making exceptional wines for centuries. It's just that, until now, most of them went into Port. Symington's portfolio is proving what the Douro is capable of. Quinta do Vesuvio, long famed for its powerhouse vintage Ports, is now producing a Douro DOC red that's structured, elegant and every bit as compelling as its fortified counterparts. Quinta do Ataíde, a vineyard instrumental in reviving Touriga Nacional, is producing Vinha do Arco, a single-varietal wine of remarkable depth and finesse. Their Altano range, meanwhile, is making Douro wines more accessible than ever, with bottles that balance power and elegance in equal measure. This isn't about abandoning Port; it's about proving that the Douro can do both. Climate change is the uninvited guest at the table Of course, making wine in the Douro is challenging enough without climate change throwing a spanner in the works. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts are making an already extreme region even more so. Symington, however, isn't standing still. One of the biggest shifts has been their expansion into higher-altitude vineyards, where cooler temperatures allow for slower ripening and better acidity retention. Their organic vineyard programme – the largest in northern Portugal – reflects their commitment to sustainability, as does their ongoing research into heat-resistant grape varieties. They're not just making wine for today; they're ensuring the Douro can keep making wine for generations to come. The wine world has taken notice. In 2024, Symington was named Green Company of the Year at The Drinks Business Green Awards, largely due to their work at Adega do Ataíde, which also secured Wine Company of the Year. The winery is LEED Gold certified, putting it in the upper echelon of sustainable wine buildings worldwide. With an ultra-low-impact design, a glass light-weighting programme and significant investment in solar power, it's a model of what the future of winemaking should look like. One judge called it 'the type of project other wineries should look to'. Not that they're stopping there. Symington was also the first wine company in Portugal to become a certified B Corporation, proving that their commitment to sustainability extends beyond the vineyard. They support conservation projects like Rewilding Portugal, which is restoring natural habitats in the Greater Côa Valley. A first-hand look at the Douro's evolution Spending time in the Douro with Symington makes one thing clear: this is a region in transition, and they're the ones steering the ship. At Quinta do Vesuvio, I saw grapes still foot-trodden in granite lagares, a method unchanged for centuries and one that produces some of the most structured, long-lived Ports in the world. Meanwhile, at Quinta do Ataíde, where vines grow in meticulously managed rows, their research into indigenous grape varieties is laying the foundation for how the Douro will navigate the future. The contrast between tradition and innovation is striking, and it's precisely this balancing act that makes the Douro so exciting right now. The Douro's next chapter Port built the Douro. That much is undeniable. But thanks to Symington and a new generation of winemakers, its future is about more than what sits in the barrel. The region is evolving, embracing both its heritage and its potential, proving that it can stand alongside the world's greatest wine regions – on its own terms. Symington has spent 140 years shaping the Douro. If this latest chapter is anything to go by, they're just getting started. Tasting the Douro: The wines that prove its future The Douro may have built its name on Port, but in the glass, the shift towards still wine is undeniable. Across Symington's estates, the wines are bold, expressive and distinct, showcasing the full potential of the valley's indigenous grapes. Here's how they stack up. For a Port house with a history as storied as Cockburn's, the question isn't whether they make good Port – it's just how much personality they pack into the bottle. Across the board, these wines show richness, structure and that classic Douro intensity, but each tells a different story. The Special Reserve remains a game-changer, even decades after it redefined the category. Bold red fruit bursts from the glass – cherries, plums and a touch of wild strawberry – before that signature dry finish pulls everything together. A slight peppery grip keeps things lively, balancing the plush, ripe sweetness. It's smooth enough to be dangerously drinkable, but with just enough bite to keep it from being one-dimensional. The 10-Year-Old Tawny is all about balance – amber-hued with a nose of caramel, hazelnuts and dried apricots. The palate delivers a wave of honeyed walnuts and baking spice, underpinned by fine acidity that lifts the finish. This is a Port that lingers, stretching out into long, toasted almond warmth. The 20-Year-Old Tawny, meanwhile, is Cockburn's at its most refined. There's a wonderful duality here – an almost ethereal lightness meets deep, layered complexity. Candied citrus, cedar and butterscotch meld into a silken, nutty finish. It's the kind of Port that deserves a quiet evening and a proper glass, but don't be surprised if it steals the show at the table. For a region that's long been defined by Port, the Douro's foray into still wine isn't just a side project – it's a full-blown renaissance. The Altano range from Symington Family Estates is proof that the valley's rugged terrain and indigenous grape varieties can produce serious wines beyond the fortified classics. The Altano Rewilding Edition is a vibrant and approachable introduction to the Douro's new identity. Touriga Franca lends floral aromatics, while Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) brings deep red fruit and Tinta Barroca adds structure. The result? A wine with bright berry flavours, a touch of Mediterranean herbaceousness and a supple balance between fruit, acidity and spice. It's fresh, generous and dangerously drinkable. Then there's the Altano Organic Red 2021, a deeper, more structured expression of the Douro. Touriga Nacional takes centre stage, delivering dark cherry, cassis and a hint of violets, while Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca round things out with plush fruit and velvety tannins. There's a flicker of dark chocolate on the finish, lending richness without overwhelming the wine's natural vibrancy. Quinta do Ataíde: The Douro's wild side, bottled If the Douro Valley is a land of extremes, then Quinta do Ataíde is where it all feels just a little more untamed. Nestled in the remote Vilariça Valley, this vineyard is an outlier – not just in geography, but in style. The loam and schist soils, the searing heat, the near-arid conditions: everything conspires to produce wines of remarkable depth and intensity. The Quinta do Ataíde Douro is a wine that feels firmly rooted in its place. Touriga Nacional leads the way, giving it a floral lift – think roses and violets – but there's a wilder, more resinous quality, like crushed pine needles after a long, hot day. Black plums and ripe red fruit dominate the palate, rounded out by supple tannins and a flicker of oak that never oversteps the mark. It's structured, but not brooding; powerful, but poised. Then there's the Vinha do Arco 2016, a single-varietal Touriga Nacional that showcases why this grape is the Douro's crown jewel. It's darker, denser, more brooding than its sibling. Black cherries, licorice and bergamot thread through layers of deep, inky fruit, with an undercurrent of spice and mocha oak. The tannins are polished, the acidity just bright enough to carry its weight and the finish stretches out like a lingering sunset over the valley. Quinta do Vesuvio is what happens when nature doesn't hold back. Searing heat, dramatic altitude shifts and an arid climate conspire to push vines to their limits, but the result is some of the Douro's most compelling wines – structured, refined and built to last. Pombal do Vesuvio is Douro red with backbone. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela and Alicante Bouschet, it leans into the valley's intensity. The nose is a medley of wild herbs, crushed rock rose, fig and fennel, underpinned by ripe black fruit and a balsamic edge – Douro schist and sun bottled. The palate is dark, plush and poised, with a mineral streak cutting through the richness like a steel blade. Tannins are gripping yet polished, giving structure without austerity. Nine months in French oak leaves a smoky whisper rather than a statement. The finish lingers – taut, savoury, flickering with dry pine needles and warm spice. Pair it with grilled meats, game or a slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Drinking well now, but built to evolve through 2029. If Pombal is power, Quinta do Vesuvio is balance. With 58% Touriga Franca and 40% Touriga Nacional, it brings elegance to the Douro's intensity. The nose lifts with roses, thyme and pine resin, while the palate unfolds in layers of blackberry, cassis and dark chocolate. Fifteen months in French oak adds structure without overshadowing the fruit. A serious, age-worthy Douro red, built for duck, venison or aged ribeye, and destined to develop over the next decade.
