Buy Port Wine Online
Port wine is one of the world’s most iconic fortified wines, offering rich, complex flavours and an unmistakable character. Originally crafted in Portugal’s Douro Valley, Port is made by adding a neutral grape spirit during fermentation. This halts the process early, preserving natural sweetness and elevating the alcohol content, usually around 19–20%.
Buy Port Wine Online
Port wine is one of the world’s most iconic fortified wines, offering rich, complex flavours and an unmistakable character. Originally crafted in Portugal’s Douro Valley, Port is made by adding a neutral grape spirit during fermentation. This halts the process early, preserving natural sweetness and elevating the alcohol content, usually around 19–20%.
Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or exploring fortified wines for the first time, Port is a delicious and rewarding choice. Our curated range of port wines includes traditional styles from Portugal and bold, expressive local takes from Australia’s Rutherglen region.
What is Port Wine?
Port wine is a fortified wine originating in Portugal, typically enjoyed as a dessert wine due to its natural sweetness and full-bodied richness. The term "fortified" refers to the addition of grape spirit, which enhances flavour and longevity. Unlike standard table wines, Port is crafted to age well and offers remarkable depth, ranging from fruit-forward toffee notes to complex, nutty, oxidative characters.
There are several key types of port wine:
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Ruby Port: Young and vibrant, ruby Ports are aged in stainless steel or concrete tanks for shorter periods to preserve their bold fruitiness.
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Tawny Port: Aged in wooden barrels, tawny Ports develop oxidative, nutty flavours and can be labelled by age—10, 20, 30, or even 40 years.
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Vintage Port: Only made in exceptional years, vintage Ports are bottled after two to three years of aging and can develop beautifully in the bottle for decades.
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Late Bottled Vintage (LBV): A more accessible version of vintage Port, LBVs are aged 4–6 years before bottling and are ready to drink upon release.
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White Port: Made from white grapes, this versatile style can be dry or sweet and is often served chilled as an aperitif.
What kind of alcohol is Port?
Port is classified as a fortified wine, distinct from both standard wine and spirits. It combines fermented grape juice with added grape spirit (brandy) to halt fermentation and increase the alcohol content. This places Port in a unique category, offering the structure of wine with the warmth and richness of stronger beverages.
What does Port Wine taste like?
Port wine’s flavour profile varies by style:
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Ruby Ports are bright and fruity, with flavours of red berries, plum, and cherry.
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Tawny Ports offer layers of caramel, walnut, dried fruit, and spice.
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Vintage Ports develop dark chocolate, fig, and earthy notes as they age.
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White Ports can be crisp and citrusy or mellow with hints of honey and almond.
What food goes well with Port Wine?
Port wine is often served as a dessert wine, but its complexity makes it surprisingly versatile at the table.
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Ruby Port: Pairs beautifully with blue cheese, dark chocolate, and berry-based desserts.
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Tawny Port: Complements nutty desserts (like pecan pie), crème brûlée, or even roasted duck.
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White Port: Ideal with olives, salted almonds, or served chilled with tonic as a refreshing aperitif.
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Vintage Port: Best enjoyed on its own or with aged cheese and dried fruit.
Is Port Wine made in Australia?
Absolutely. Australia has a long tradition of producing Port-style wines, particularly in Rutherglen, Victoria, where the warmer conditions and old vines lend themselves perfectly to rich, aged fortified wines. Although “Port” is a protected term in the EU, you’ll still find high-quality Australian versions labelled as Vintage Fortified or Tawny.
Explore our Fortified Wines collection to discover both imported and local expressions of this enduring classic.
FAQs about Port
Wine How long does port wine last after opening?
Tawny and white Ports can last several weeks when re-corked and refrigerated. Ruby and vintage Ports are more delicate and best consumed within a few days.
Is port wine sweet or dry?
Most Port wines are sweet due to the residual sugar left after fortification, but white Port and dry-style tawnies do exist.
Can port wine be aged?
Yes—especially Vintage Port and aged Tawny. Some of the best bottles can mature beautifully for 30 years or more.
