Port
Port is renowned as a great after-dinner drink. It comes from the beautiful Douro Valley in northern Portugal where vines are grown on terraces lining the sides of the valley. The stony steps and steep valley sides mean that work in the vineyard must be undertaken by hand. Here, a vineyard or estate is known as a quinta. A blend of black grape varieties is often used, with Touriga Nacional recognised as an important variety. Some properties have 'field blends', where their long history means that each vineyard has a range of different varieties. Traditionally, grapes were trodden by foot in huge lagares. While this still happens for some ports, mechanisation is now standard procedure. In the spring after harvesting, the wine is taken to the coastal town of Vila Nova de Gaia, where it matures in lodges. There are two main styles of port: ruby (aged mainly in the bottle) and tawny (aged for many years in oak casks). The best ruby ports (crusted and vintage) will age for many years and should be decanted before serving. Tawny ports are aged for 10 or 20 years in cask and are ideal served with a cheeseboard. White port, from white grapes, can be served over ice with a slice of lemon. In Portugal, it's traditional to add a sprig or two of mint, and sip before dinner.
- PortugalMedium Sweet£43.00No Kopke White Colheita Port 2010 in the trolley
- £25.50No Quinta do Noval Unfiltered LBV Port in the trolley
Quinta do Noval Vintage 2017
“Quinta do Noval is the only historic Port Shipper that bears the name of its vineyard”PortugalFull£90.00No Quinta do Noval Vintage 2017 in the trolley- £25.00No Graham's Blend No.12 Ruby Port in the trolley
Quinta do Noval Vintage 2012 Port
“Succulent black-fruit flavours with spicy notes and a long finish”PortugalFull£71.00750mlNo Quinta do Noval Vintage 2012 Port in the trolley- £95.00No Taylors Vintage Port in the trolley
- £90.00No Fonseca Vintage Port in the trolley
Graham's Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port
“An excellent match for chocolate-based desserts or blue cheese”PortugalFull£34.50No Graham's Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port in the trolley- £16.00No Warre's King's Tawny Port in the trolley