Tawny vs Ruby Ports
IN this short video, Andrew White introduces the main styles of Port and explains the differences between them.
Vintage port is the pinnicle of port production, and is made entirely from the grapes of a declared vintage year. It accounts for about two percent of overall port production.
Not every year is declared a vintage in the Douro. The decision on whether to declare a vintage is made in the spring of the second year following the harvest (traditionally on St Georges Day). The decision to declare a vintage is made by each individual port house, often referred to as a "shipper". The port industry is one where reputations are hard won and easily lost, so the decision is never taken lightly so on average shippers will declare, on average, about three times a decade. During periods of recession and war, potential "declarations" have sometimes been missed or made for economic reasons.
Vintage Port is by far the most renowned type of port, from a volume and revenue standpoint, however it only makes up a small percentage of the production of most shippers. Vintage ports are aged in barrels for a maximum of two and a half years before bottling, and generally require another ten to forty years of ageing in the bottle before reaching what is considered a proper drinking age. Since they are aged in barrels for only a short time, they retain their dark ruby colour and fresh fruit flavours. Particularly fine vintage ports can continue to gain complexity and drink wonderfully for many decades after they were bottled. It is not uncommon for 100 year old bottles to still be in perfect condition for consumption.
Sale
A high quality great value selection pack of four 10 year old Tawny Ports that you will not find anywhere …
$106.38 USD
A high quality great value selection pack of four 20 year old Tawny Ports that you will not find anywhere …
$131.73 USD
Last Few
We are delighted to exclusively offer Kopke 2021 Vintage Port. note picture shows 75cl bottle for illustration purposes. …
$158.34 USD
Exclusive to Vintage Wine and Port
The 2020 Calem Vintage Port presents an intense purple colour, …
$79.77 USD
This is a Vintage Port with personality and, for Niepoort, richer and riper than previous vintages, …
$131.73 USD
Poças Vintage 2018 is the most pure and perfect translation of how special this year was, and still is, …
$79.77 USD
Last Few
Dark red colour. Very complex aromas of balsamic, dark fruits and notes of chocolate. Full-bodied in the palate, …
$106.38 USD
The Cálem 2015 Vintage Port Wine is noted as having aromas of “black fruit and hints of spice and cocoa” …
$66.46 USD
Sale
We are delighted to exclusively offer the Barros 2012 Quinta Galeira Vintage Port. With 10 years of …
$46.57 USD
We are delighted to exclusively offer the Kopke Sao Luiz Vintage Port from the very good 2012 vintage. …
$93.08 USD
From the exceptional 2011 vintage, only 750 cases of this stunning Vintage Port were made.
95 …
$131.73 USD
This 2007 Burmester Vintage Port from the very good 2007 Vintage has outstanding provenance!
This …
$93.08 USD
Sale
This limited edition Very Old Tawny port is blended from five different vintages from each decade from …
$246.17 USD
IN this short video, Andrew White introduces the main styles of Port and explains the differences between them.
Vintage Port from the UK Fortified Retailer of the Year