Vintage Port Shop Blog

White Port: Portugal’s Best-Kept Secret

Posted 13 April 2025

by Vintage Wine and Port

White port is the hidden gem of the Douro Valley — versatile, affordable, and full of character.Whether you’re new to fortified wine or a lifelong port lover, white port offers a refreshing twist on tradition. Try it neat, in a spritz, or alongside your next cheeseboard. With bottles from top producers like Burmester, Kopke, Quevedo, and Messias, there’s never been a better time to explore white port at Vintage Wine & Port.

The Vintage Ports from Raby Castle

Posted 21 January 2025

by Vintage Wine and Port

We are delighed to have acquired Vintage Port from the finest private collections of to come up for sale in a generation. The Ports come directly from the cellars of Raby Castle in County Durham, where they have been stored since they were acquired, on release, by the ancestors of the current Lord Barnard.

I was fortunate enough to be invited by Christies to a taste these historic Ports in London in November 2024. Tasting Notes for Cockburn 1950, Taylors 1948, Fonseca 1934 and Dow 1927 are included

The Comprehensive Guide to Port Wine: How It’s Made and Its Styles

Posted 9 January 2025

by Tony Carter

Port wine, a fortified wine beloved around the globe, is exclusively produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley, a region as historic as it is stunning. Known for its rich flavors, varying levels of sweetness, and diverse styles, port wine is the result of meticulous craftsmanship honed over centuries.

In this guide, we will delve into how port wine is made and explore the details of its distinctive styles, allowing you to fully appreciate the artistry behind this iconic drink.

2022 Vintage Port Declarations

Posted 8 May 2024

by Tony Carter And Dia Grigoriou DipWSET

2022 was a difficult year with exceptionally dry and hot weather in the three months preceding harvest. In July, the highest temperature recorded since 1931 was 47 °C/117 °F in Pinhão. The heat and drought caused small bunches and berries, but rain in mid-September helped later-picked vineyards, and there was minimal raisining of the grapes. Producer and regional differences in yields aside, global production was approximately 10% less than in 2021. The best wines have good structure and are unexpectedly fresh, with a deep colour.

Historic Tasting at the Cockburn Lodge

Posted 21 February 2024

by Vintage Wine and Port

Our MD Tony arranged a tasting of legendary vintages of Cockburn Vintage Port at the Cockburn Lodge In Villa Nova de Gaia. Present were members of the Symington Family (owners of Cockburn) and friends from the Port Forum. The vintages covered were 1912, 1927, 1935, 1947, 1945,1948, 1955, 1960, 1963, 1967 and 1970.