Pass the port – the key styles explained

Susy Atkins
.css-1k5dwos{color:var(–twc-colors-gray-800);}Late bottled vintage and vintage ports are my choice with a festive cheeseboard .css-urig02{color:var(–twc-colors-gray-200);} | CREDIT: Emma Lee & Kitty Coles
£21.00
Bottle price
£18.90
Case price (12)
£35.00
Bottle price
£31.50
Case price (12)
£49.50
Bottle price
£44.55
Case price (12)
‘I love port but don’t want to drink it after a huge Christmas meal. What else could I pair it with?’ DA
Happily, there are lots of moments over the festive season that can call for a glass of port, if that’s one of your favourite treats. Ruby ports, which are generally easy-going with juicy red cherries and a twist of pepper, are delicious with mince pies and classic Christmas cake, and do try them with stollen and gingerbread too – all in all, a super sip for ‘teatime’ by the fire. These are the ports to splash into mulled wine too and do add a little to a rich beef or venison casserole for extra depth of flavour.
Quinta do Crasto Finest Ruby Reserve Port
An unusually understated style whose freshness and vibrancy puts it a cut above many of the ruby ports I see. It tastes like summer pudding juice and redcurrant jelly with darker, figgy undertones.
£17.50
Bottle price
£15.75
Case price (12)
Late bottled vintage (LBVs) and vintage ports are my choice with a festive cheeseboard and that certainly doesn’t have to arrive at the end of a feast. Make these ports and the cheeseboard the centrepiece of their very own meal, perhaps on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day. Decant the ports to open them up and allow you to discard any sediment, then gather your cheeses, making sure to include Stilton which wows with port. Add fresh and dried fruits including dates, roasted nuts and a mix of crackers.
My favourite port pairing of all is aged tawny and chocolate | CREDIT: Tara Fisher & Joss Herd
But my favourite port pairing of all is tawny port and chocolate. We usually have a bottle of tawny in the fridge over Christmas (preferring this style cool) and bring it out not only with boxes of chocs (dark ones make the best match) but also with chocolate desserts, and nutty and toffee puddings too. The mellow, creamy, caramel and orange peel style of tawny or colheita is also divine with creamy puds like profiteroles.
Colheita ports are tawnies that are only made in small quantities but can be complex, compelling – and good value. The word ‘colheita’ (pronounced col-yay-ta) means harvest, crop or vintage. They come from one particular named year and have spent at least seven years maturing in oak barrels and often a lot longer. They typically have layers of nutty, toffee and dried citrus peel flavour and a soft, sometimes creamy texture and can be enjoyed as soon as they’re bought, although they come to no harm if stored for several more years.
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NV ・ Portugal ・ Red ・ 50cl
£21.00
Bottle price
£18.90
Case price (12)
2003 ・ Portugal ・ Red
£35.00
Bottle price
£31.50
Case price (12)
2018 ・ Portugal ・ Red
£49.50
Bottle price
£44.55
Case price (12)
NV ・ Spain ・ White ・ 37.5cl
£8.95
Bottle price
£8.06
Case price (12)
NV ・ Spain ・ White ・ 50cl
£17.50
Bottle price
£15.75
Case price (12)
NV ・ Spain ・ White ・ 50cl
£17.50
Bottle price
£15.75
Case price (12)
2003 ・ Portugal ・ Red
£35.00
Bottle price
£31.50
Case price (12)
Various ・ Cases ・ 12x75cl
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Case price
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