How to Buy a Vintage Port Wine
Created from only the most exceptional harvests, vintage port wines are the most coveted of all port wines and the shining star of every port house. Vintage port's full-bodied flavors and strong tannic structure make it a favorite of all port wine lovers the world around. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Discover how vintage port wine is made. Vintage ports are produced from grapes of only the best harvests from a single year. They are bottled for no less than 15 years after spending two to three years in wood casks.
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Understand the flavors of vintage port. These port wines are high in tannins with well-balanced and mellow fruit flavors. Vintage ports are full-bodied with the flavor characteristics of figs and cherries, with a hint of chocolate and licorice.
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Learn the best declared vintage port years. The following years are some of the best declared years for vintage port wine: 1970, 1975, 1997, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2003.
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Buy and hold younger vintage port. The following declared vintage years should be bought and held for the port to peak in flavors: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2003.
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Know the vintage port that should be consumed now. The following Vintage Port wines are said to have reached their peak and should be consumed now: 1970, 1975, 1977, 1983 and 1998.
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Discover vintage port that is both suitable for immediate consumption or can be held longer. The vintage years for these wines are: 1980, 1985, 1987 and 1998.
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Tips & Warnings
Store vintage port properly. If you have bought a vintage port that you intend to hold, store the port properly on its side in a room that remains at a steady temperature. Optimal storage temperatures are 55 to 60 degrees.
Decant vintage port before serving in order to remove sediment.
Not all port houses declare the same vintage year.
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