The winter of 2003 was very wet in the Douro and this was to prove of critical importance later in the growing season. The rainfall, which brought mild, moderate conditions only abated in April and was followed by very hot and dry conditions, interrupted only by some very welcome showers in late June and July. Some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Portugal were experienced in August, although in the Douro it was not much hotter than normal, maximum daytime temperatures at Vesuvio averaging about 42oc. Owing to the accumulated water reserves deep in the schistous soil, ripening took place under ideal conditions and the continuing dry weather in September ensured that the vintage took place in near perfect conditions.