Porto Vintage 2009 assinala Guerra Peninsular

Porto Vintage 2009 assinala Guerra Peninsular
23 de Maio de 2011, por Elisabete Maia


A Warre’s, da Symington, vai lançar no mês de Junho, um lote de 6 mil garrafas de Porto Vintage 2009 para assinalar a Libertação do Porto a 12 de Maio de 1809, pelo exército luso-britânico liderado pelo Duque de Wellington, durante a Guerra Peninsular. As garrafas vão ser postas à venda nos mercados português e inglês.

Este lote de vinhos terá um lançamento restrito e as garrafas serão numeradas individualmente. Trata-se de uma homenagem ao capitão William Warre, um dos jovens oficiais que integrava o exército e que esteve na frente da Libertação do Porto. O jovem oficial nasceu no Porto em 1784 e pertencia a uma família produtora de Vinho do Porto com o mesmo nome.

Por cada caixa vendida, a Warre’s e a família Symington vão doar, em Portugal, 55,00 euros à Liga dos Combatentes e, no Reino Unido, 48,00 libras à “Help for heroes”, uma organização britânica de caridade. No final, espera-se angariar mais de 25.000 euros.

Letters From The Peninsula

1812-The conduct of the Portuguese Troops during the whole Siege, and under very trying circumstances, has been most exemplary, particularly their Artillery, which is really very good. It is difficult to say which troops, the British or Portuguese, are the most indifferent to danger. In both it is quite remarkable. But John goes to work more steadily and sullenly, while the Portuguese must be well led, and have his joke. They are great wits in their way, and, without the resolution and impenetrable sang-froid of the British, they have more patience and subordination under greater privations and hardship. But the Portuguese has not the bodily strength of the former, is naturally lazy, and is not used to our pickaxes and shovels. Therefore on the working parties the British do their work better in half the time. Both seem equally careless of danger. They agree perfectly well together, and amongst the men there is scarce an instance of disagreement or disturbance.

William Warre, Letters From The Peninsula: 1808-1812, pag 156

Very high spirits.

1810- «The Portuguese troops are in very high spirits and seem anxious to meet the enemy. They are in a very improved state of discipline, and promise well. It would be unfair to doubt them with these qualities. Poor fellows, they fight for everything that is dear to them. I never saw a Regt. embark in better style or higher spirits than the 20th Portuguese Regt. did for Cadiz a few days ago.(...) The French will, I dare hope, find themselves mistaken in the Portuguese troops, and though I am not , sanguine as to the final result, unless Spain does more than she has done yet, I am sure the Conquest will cost them/very dear. »



William Warre, Letters From The Peninsula: 1808-1812, pag 71

I give you joy of the glorious news.

16 OCT. 1810 - I give you joy of the glorious news. How delightful it is that the Portuguese have behaved so nobly. They have shown Bony's 'spoiled child of Fortune' what they can do when well organised and commanded. Some of the Regts. were commanded by Portuguese.

William Warre, Letters From The Peninsula: 1808-1812, pag 102

Dores de Barriga.

«The French will have a difficult job to drive us out, both from the nature of the country, want of provisions and means of transport, and the very improved state of the Portuguese army, which in itself speaks sufficiently for Beresford's exertions, and the propriety of the severe, or rather firm, conduct he went upon from the first.(...) The Portuguese army, notwithstanding the numberless difficulties to which he is constantly exposed, from imbecility and mean contemptible jealousy and intrigue, will be a sufficient testimony. I have no doubt, both in its apparent discipline and conduct before the enemy, whenever it shall be our fortune to meet him. I confess myself rather anxious for the trial. It will show us what Officers are subject to dores de barriga and enable us to get rid of them, and make examples of this worst part of their army, though now there are really many very promising young Officers, and the old ones have in great measure been got rid of. Lord W. as well as every British Officer have been very much, though agreeably, surprised at the state of our troops. I am inclined to think that had they justice done to them in the common comforts, I may say necessaries of life, clothing and food, they would make as good soldiers as any in the world. None are more intelligent or willing, or bear hardships and privation more humbly.»

William Warre, Letters From The Peninsula: 1808-1812, pag 61