Port wine (175)

Longstanding Port Wine Expertise: Taylor’s, Niepoort, Churchills & Trenz

The red Port wine, sometimes also white wine, comes from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

Warm summers and cold winters. This is how the approximately 30 permitted grape varieties for Portugal's popular wines ripen along the river.

Among them

• Tinta Roriz (a synonym for the red wine Tempranillo),
• Gouveio,
• Touriga Nacional,
• Touriga Francia,
• Tinta Cão,
• Tinta Barroca
• and Síria.

However, the name Port wine refers to the port city of Porto. Here, Port wine is traditionally stored in cellars, in partly huge barrels.

From Porto, ships loaded with the durable Port set sail in all directions. And that is the origin of why Port wine is what it is. A seemingly everlasting sweet wine, that withstands long voyages without any problems.

By sea, the Vinho do Porto reaches various ports on the European mainland. And thus also caters to the tastes of connoisseurs.

English, Dutch, Germans were eager for the fruity sweet wine from the Douro Valley. Therefore, they built warehouses in the port of Porto.

The Port wine is thus firmly in the hands of major investors.

Taylor’s, Niepoort, Churchills, Trenz - names that sound little Portuguese. But with first-class and longstanding expertise in production.

Production, Type, Taste of Port Wine (Vinho do Porto)

Fortification, or mutage, turns wine into Port wine. During fermentation, high-proof brandy is added to the must in a ratio of 1 to 4. This kills the yeast cells, thereby halting fermentation.

What remains is the residual sugar, which manifests in the fine sweetness of the Port. Once the Port wine reaches the required alcohol content of 19 to 22% vol., the sweet wine is ready for storage.

Initially, it is stored for half a year in the Douro Valley. Afterwards, it is kept in cellars near Porto for at least two more years. In large wooden barrels that hold up to 550 liters, the Port wine matures until the first tasting. This is when the further process is developed.

If the vintage appears mediocre, there is a significant risk of flavor loss during long storage. This Port wine becomes Ruby. Ruby Port remains in the barrel for a short time and is then bottled ready for drinking.

Better vintages gain flavors and aromas through longer aging. The Port remains in the barrel until it is filled into a pipe (a small barrel for faster oxidation) or a bottle. Depending on the container, the Port wine matures into different classes. For example, Old Tawny and Colheita come from the pipe. In the bottle, it develops into LBV (Late Bottled Vintage), Crusted Port, and Vintage Character.

Absolute top vintages, as recognized by the Port Wine Institute, are considered Vintage. Ports of this quality class are bottled as quickly as possible and aged for at least 10 years. The Vintage Ports develop their flavor over decades.

Port Wine Variants

The differences among the Port wine variants lie in the timing and container of storage. Depending on this, various classes of Port wine arise:

1. Ruby is a young, fruity Port wine, which matures in wooden barrels and comes to market after a few years. Its bouquet exhibits fruity berries and forest aromas.
2. Tawny ages longer, both in wooden barrels and in small pipes. The amber to golden body of this dessert wine shows nuances of dried fruits, nuts, and plums—resulting from contact with air.
3. Colheita is considered a specialty and ages for at least 7 years in wooden barrels. This gives it a very spicy note. Unlike many other Ports, Colheita is not a blend from various vintages.

Our Port Wine Recommendation

Tawny Port - Osborne

From the finest grape varieties of the Douro Valley comes the Tawny Port from Osborne. It displays a wonderfully golden-brown hue. The fully ripe and sweet body has subtle hints of honey and wood. The Tawny ages for 4 years in a small pipe barrel. It is a superb ending after any meal.

Vintage Port 2011 - Churchill's

From the top class comes the Vintage Port from Churchill’s Estate. It impresses with its deep dark red color and complex bouquet. Ripe dark berries with powerful spice and nuances of fine chocolate provide a harmonious experience. Perfect with dried fruits and sweet pastries. Or simply to store, for several decades.

What is the best Port wine?

The allegedly best Port wine carries a proud price tag of about €100,000 and comes from the house of Niepoort. For everyone lacking the necessary funds for such expensive Ports, the Vintage Ports are worthwhile. These are generally considered the best Ports. Only great vintages are declared Vintage years. But: until the Vintage Ports reach their full potential, they are stored for a while—easily 10 to 50 years.

Buy Port Wine Online at VINELLO

A ship is already setting sail in Porto to deliver your Port. Through our wine shipping VINELLO, it will surely arrive safely and quickly at your home. Order Port wine affordably and effortlessly, via insured shipping, and enjoy the delicious dessert wine from Portugal.

Experience sweet harmony or store top Port wine for a special occasion. From Alto Douro to you – a sweet journey from VINELLO, your online wine shop for delicious drops.