How long will vintage port last?

Anything to do with Port.
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
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Location: Berkshire, UK

How long will vintage port last?

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

We've often poked fun at wine writers who write a review of a new port vintage with recommendations along the lines of "drink in the next 2-5 years" or the supermarket who insists on a "best before" date to be printed on the label of a bottle of port.

Well finally the message seems to have hit home. Sogevinus sent me some marketing literature for their 2015 vintage ports (Kopke Sao Luiz and Calem) which includes the instructions "The wine should be stored in a cool and dry place, sheltered from light and temperature fluctuations. The bottle should remain in a horizontal position. This wine can be stored in this manner indefinitely without any damage to its quality or character. Once opened it should be decanted and drunk within 2-3 days. Best served at a temperature between 12 and 14C."

Kudos to Sogevinus for being the first port firm to give such a clear and accurate statement.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Andy Velebil
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
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Re: How long will vintage port last?

Post by Andy Velebil »

Finally!! Well done on their part.
Christopher
Niepoort LBV
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Re: How long will vintage port last?

Post by Christopher »

About time! Pet hate drinking windows from merchants that finish before 20 years!
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jdaw1
Cockburn 1851
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Re: How long will vintage port last?

Post by jdaw1 »

The “indefinitely” is a good choice of word: not forever, but there is no definite year by when it should be drunk.
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uncle tom
Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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Re: How long will vintage port last?

Post by uncle tom »

This wine can be stored in this manner indefinitely without any damage to its quality or character.
They rather spoilt the message with that last word, as the wine will of course age and mature and change it's character as a result.

Did they also caution that the wine will throw a deposit?
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14868
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: How long will vintage port last?

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Be fair. They did not say the character would remain unchanged, only that the character would not be damaged.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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