If you're in any way familiar with port wine at all, it's likely you may have enjoyed it as an after-dinner digestif on Christmas Day or another special occasion. For those who have never had the pleasure, port is a fortified wine made from grapes grown in the Douro region of Portugal, but produced and exported by British producers like Taylor's, W&J Graham's and Sandeman.
However, port is much more than just being an accompaniment to dessert! There are many types from ruby to tawny to white, giving a variety of aromas and flavours. This buying guide will help you find the best vintage, whether you're after bottle-aged or barrel-aged Port Wine. Port may come from Portugal, but these days it's widely available in the UK from Tesco, Asda and Waitrose and more. We've even ranked our top 10 favourite picks. Felicidades!
Quick List - Top Port Wines
Dow's
A Quintessential Port That’s Exceptionally Aromatic With a Rich, Full-Bodied Flavour
Symington Family Estates for Waitrose
A Finer Port at a Budget Price, Seasoned in Oak Casks to Provide a Smooth and Fruity Flavour
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Ruby is the most widely produced type of port wine. It is aged in large barrels, which prevents the wine from becoming oxidised, retaining the signature rich, dark red colour associated with port. Aged for no more than three years, they're meant to be drunk 'young' and have strong fruit notes.
Late bottled vintage, or LBV, and vintage also come under the ruby port category. LBVs were created as an economic answer to unsold port waste in the 1950s. Keeping the wine in wood for a longer-than-usual period of four to six years prior to bottling, they produce characterful wines that are lighter than traditional vintage ports.
Vintage is made from the finest grapes of a single year, chosen when there is an exceptional harvest. Kept for just two years in wood, they are bottled unfiltered and can be kept for decades. Crusted port is a peculiarly British invention made in a similar style to vintage port, but quicker and cheaper. This is a very fine non-vintage ruby that forms a sediment or 'crust' at the bottom of the bottle as the wine ages.
For rich and fruity flavours try our Best Spanish Wines!
Made from grape varieties such as Malvaisa Fina and Donzelinho Branco, white port is aged briefly before bottling. Although aged white ports do exist, they are traditionally meant to be drunk 'young'.
They range from crisp, dry wines that suit being served chilled with tonic and lemon over ice, or alongside seafood dishes, to sweeter white wines best paired with dessert so its best to consider your palette and the occasion before opting for this variety.
If white is usually your preference, try our Best White Wines!
Tawny ports are the wines that the Portuguese most like to drink themselves. These are aged in smaller barrels than the ruby ports, which allows it to oxidise giving it an auburn, 'tawny' colour, an intense spicy aroma and notes of dried fruit and nuts.
As tawny ports come already oxidised, once opened they can be kept for much longer than other types. This is why they are sold with stoppers, instead of corks. The distinctive sweet aromas and flavours of tawny ports make them perfect for finishing off a rich meal.
There are two main distinctions of port, bottle aged and barrel aged. However all port spends some time in a barrel, so a better way to describe it might be "barrel matured" and "bottle matured".
Generally bottle aged ports tend to be smoother and less tannic, whereas barrel aged port is more woody, with a richer colour. Interestingly, barrel aged port takes on some of the qualities of the barrel- resulting in an "oakier" flavour with a more viscous consistency.
If you need a bottle to suit your diet, try our Best Vegan Wines!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dow's Quinta Do Bomfim Vintage Port 2006 | ![]() | A Quintessential Port That’s Exceptionally Aromatic With a Rich, Full-Bodied Flavour | |
2 | Sandeman 20 Year Old Tawny Port | ![]() | A Tawny Port With a Balanced Flavour, Aged in Oak Casks for 20 Years | |
3 | Grahams Fine White Port Wine | ![]() | A Fresh and Delicate White, Wonderful Served With Tonic, Lemon and Mint | |
4 | Symington Family Estates for Waitrose No.1 Reserve Tawny Port | ![]() | A Finer Port at a Budget Price, Seasoned in Oak Casks to Provide a Smooth and Fruity Flavour | |
5 | Graham's Crusted Port Wine | ![]() | An Unfiltered Crusted Port With Aromas of Plums and Rock Rose | |
6 | Graham's 10 Year Old Tawny Port | ![]() | Rich, Mature and Mellow With a Complex Body of Almonds and Fruits | |
7 | Taylor's Late Bottled Vintage Port | ![]() | A Classic LBV Port With a Smooth Texture and Ripe Fruitiness | |
8 | Taylor's 10 Year-Old Tawny Port Presented in a Wooden Box | ![]() | A Well-Presented Rich and Fruity Tawny Port Complete With Drinking Accessories | |
9 | Cockburns Special Reserve Port | ![]() | Rich and Full-Bodied Blend of Vintages With a Deep, Dark Colour | |
10 | Fonseca Porto Organic Terra Prima | ![]() | An Light, Mellow and Delicious Ruby Made From Organic Grapes |
Our number one port of choice has to be Dow's 2006 Quinta Do Bomfim Vintage Port. Expect a full-bodied and tannic structure, with rich and jammy cherries and redcurrants, leading to an intense and slightly drier finish.
Aromatic with a distinctive aroma of violets, it really is the quintessential after-dinner port, especially alongside chocolate desserts. From the presentation, to the contents inside, this is a classic, yet unusual vintage that's sure to blow you away!
Aged in small oak casks for 20 years, this Tawny Port from Sandeman has a rich and balanced flavour, with hints of dried apricots, honey, nuts, spices and vanilla. Founded in 1790, Sandeman is one of the oldest port and sherry producers, so you can rest assured you're in good hands with this bottle!
It's the perfect accompaniment to salty appetisers, seafood gratin or tarte tatin. As a novel bonus, it comes with a glass stopper instead of a cork, making it feel more like using a decanter. Gorgeous!
White port isn't as widely drank as the better-known darker varieties, but being such a perfect late summer drink, it really should be. If you're looking to sample a fine white, we recommend starting with a bottle of Graham's.
Made from traditional white grape varieties, such as Códega, Malvasia Fina, Rabigato and Viosinho, it has a pale, golden colouring and a flavour reminiscent of almonds. Best served chilled over ice with tonic water, lemon and mint, it's a wonderful drink for a balmy evening.
Produced exclusively for Waitrose by the very im'port'ant Symington Family Estate, this elegant port wine is aged for an average of seven years in seasoned oak casks. This process gives is a smooth and fruity flavour with notes of ripened figs, raisins, butterscotch and toasted nuts.
In spite of it's pale hue, you'll be amazed by how much depth and body this tawny port has! We think it's especially good when served alongside a cheese board, dried fruits or chocolatey desserts.
The only crusted port on our list, this 2013 offering from W&J Graham's is one you certainly must try! Its aromas of dark plums and rock rose, combined with firm tannins and a gorgeous crusted texture, makes for a hedonic experience.
Similar to a vintage port, this bottle is unfiltered, which allows the natural sediment or 'crust' to appear as it ages. This means it also should be handled in a similar way to vintage port. Make sure to store it lying on its side and leave to stand for an hour before serving to really bring out its best.
With almost 200 years worth of port-making knowhow and multiple awards under their belt, it's no wonder why W&J Graham's are some of the most well known and loved fine port wines.
Showcasing a complex body with notes of almond and sweet, sticky fruits, 10 Year Old is exemplary of what makes a great tawny port wine. The wonderfully mellow and long finish makes this one the perfect accompaniment to desserts like cinnamon-dusted apple pie, or almond cake. A true taste of Portugal.
A classic LBV port, this 2013 vintage bottle from Taylor's has a deep and ripe fruitiness, without being too sweet. The texture is smooth on the palate, followed by a warming aftertaste. Extremely moreish, this bottle may turn you into a dedicated drinker of port!
Complex and distinctive, it's a superb tipple for a variety of occasions. Offered at an almost startlingly good price, you might even want to consider giving it as a gift, or savouring on a special occasion.
A fabulous gift idea for engagements, anniversaries, or as a way to say thank you, this Tawny Port by Taylor's comes presented in a gorgeous silk-lined wooden display box. But that's not all, this set also includes four essential wine accessories; a corkscrew, wine pourer, drip stopper and a wine thermometer.
When it comes to the port itself, its has a mellow, yet elegant flavour, combining rich and fruity aromas with delicate woody notes. A ten year old tawny that will not disappoint!
Cockburns Special Reserve Port is slightly unique in style due to the unusual processing method it undergoes. Special reserve port is essentially a blend of vintages, that are barrel-aged for around four to six years.
This process gives the port its dark ruby colour and mature fruit flavours, making it a popular post-Christmas dinner choice! While it may be wonderfully warming, you might find it a little tannic and rich for regular drinking.
Earthy and full of character, Fonseca Porto's Terra Prima is made from organic grapes in the reserve ruby style. Lighter than other ruby ports, this one is mellow and delicious.
The late-bottled vintage ruby provides excellent value for money, rivaling some of the more expensive options. It's an accessible bottle for those new to port that's both great on its own, or with cheese and biscuits. Although, seasoned port drinkers may find its lightness a little too thin.
Ideally, you should store port wine in the refrigerator, as the temperature will slow the oxidisation process and ensure that your port stays in the best condition for longer. However, if you have no space in the fridge, don't fret, your port should also keep for a reasonable time in any cool, dry place.
An unopened bottle of port will keep for a long time, but you should always refer to the best before/use by date on your specific bottle to be sure. Once opened, they will generally keep for 4 - 6 weeks in the refrigerator without any significant depletion in quality.
Written and researched by Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Dow's|Quinta Do Bomfim Vintage Port 2006
No. 2: Sandeman|20 Year Old Tawny Port
No. 3: Grahams|Fine White Port Wine
No. 4: Symington Family Estates for Waitrose|No.1 Reserve Tawny Port
No. 5: Graham's|Crusted Port Wine
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