The Beauty of Ageing – An Introduction to Vintage Port
Vintage Port is a type of fortified wine made from grapes grown in the Douro Valley region of Portugal. It is known for its rich, intense aromas, high alcohol content, and ability to age for many years. The production of Vintage Port is a unique process, as only the best grapes from a specific year are used to make the wine. One of the defining characteristics of Vintage Port is the aging process. The wine is aged in casks for two years, after which it is bottled and left to age for another 10 to 40 years. During this time, the wine develops its complex flavour profile, with notes of dark fruit, spices, and chocolate. The release of Vintage Port is a significant event in the wine world, as the wine is only produced in exceptional years when the grapes reach the highest level of quality. These years are known as "declared vintages" and are announced by the producers. It is not uncommon for several years to pass between declared vintages. When a Vintage Port is released, it is often accompanied by a great deal of excitement and anticipation, as wine lovers and collectors eagerly await the opportunity to taste and purchase the wine. The release of Vintage Port is also a chance for wine producers to showcase their best work and demonstrate their commitment to quality and tradition. Vintages are typically declared on St George's Day - so we will all wait with bated breath to see if the 2021 vintage is going to be declared in and around the 23rd April 2023! In addition to its flavour and aging potential, Vintage Port is also prized for its rarity. As only a limited amount of wine is produced in declared vintages, the wine can become highly sought after, leading to increased demand and prices. This makes Vintage Port a popular choice for wine collectors and investors. Gifting Vintage Port to a child/godchild in the year of their birth is a lovely way to show them the importance of tradition and the value of investing in high-quality goods. By presenting them with a case of this exceptional wine, you are sharing with them a piece of your own history and helping to instil in them an appreciation for quality and tradition. They may even share a bottle with you on their 18th birthday! If you are interested in purchasing some Vintage Port from Waud Wines, have a look on our website where we currently have Taylor’s, Fonseca, Quinta do Vesuvio and Croft Quinta da Roêda of various vintages. We recommend a case so that a bottle can be enjoyed at all the big milestones over the next 50 years!
Buying Vintage Port
If you cannot wait until St George's Day - we can get hold of back vintage ports for you too. For example, we recently sourced some Taylor's 2003 for one client who had a goddaughter born in that year - so please do get in touch with us and we can try our best to help you. orders@waudwines.com or call 020 3727 0180.
