White port has few fans (other than the lodges that seem to be obsessed with plying visitors with it..!)
But it can be argued that the wines don't get a chance to shine - the wines in the market place are pretty much on a par with the Reserves in terms of price, and appear to have spent little time in wood.
Does anyone produce long aged whites any more, or vintage dated whites?
As an aside, I have no idea how these wines evolve once bottled - anyone ever pop a very old bottle?
Tom
Quality whites?
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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Quality whites?
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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- Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
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I've had a number of decent cheap whites and although some were not good IMO, they all seem to get lumped together as being bad. Lagrima's are quite enjoyable to me in small amounts when very chilled on a warm day. Dry whites don't really excite me overall, but that is just my palate preference. The Niepoort Dry White is one exception. Although I do love dry white port with tonic and fresh mint leaves.
As for older aged whites, I've now had 3 out of 4 old white colheita's that I know to exist, and I'm sure there are more somewhere.
1935 Barros
1952 Dalva (also labeled under the "Presidential" name)
1964 Krohn Branco
The one I havn't had is the Niepoort, I believe it is a 1917.
I have loved these old white colheita's, they have aged quite well, and were worth every penny. If you have the chance pick one up and give it a go.
As for older aged whites, I've now had 3 out of 4 old white colheita's that I know to exist, and I'm sure there are more somewhere.
1935 Barros
1952 Dalva (also labeled under the "Presidential" name)
1964 Krohn Branco
The one I havn't had is the Niepoort, I believe it is a 1917.
I have loved these old white colheita's, they have aged quite well, and were worth every penny. If you have the chance pick one up and give it a go.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
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Interesting timing of this post. I went into a new branch of Laithwaites that opened up close to where I live and was browsing through their stock of ports when I came across this:
This is the first time that I have ever seen white port with an indication of age and from what the shop manager said, it is selling very well at the moment.
Alex
(from their website at http://www.laithwaites.co.uk).Andresen 10 Year Old White Port NV
Unique and delicious! Hand-harvested, carefully aged discovery - the first of its kind from Andresen
Order your wine
12 bottles, £129.95 (£10.83 a bottle)
Andresen is one of the last remaining family-owned and run Port Wine Houses. A dedication to quality remains at their heart and it’s this dedication that has led to an entirely new Port category!
Andresen 10-Year-Old White Port is one of a kind! White port is traditionally drunk in its youth, whilst light and fruity. However, Andresen realised that the high quality white grapes, from their solely A-rated vines, were capable of so much more â€‟ so they began to experiment…
Chief winemaker and former Head of Tasting at the Port Wine Institute, Alvaro Van Zellar, is delighted by the result and you can be sure that if it is up to his exacting standards… it’s a discovery NOT to be missed!
Golden with attractive aromas of dates, hints of honey and orange blossom, and delicate old port woodnotes. The palate is smooth and inviting with lots of dried fruit flavours. The wine is sweet, nutty and deliciously moreish!
Chilled, this is a truly outstanding aperitif. Equally delicious with fois gras, crème brulee and more…
This is the first time that I have ever seen white port with an indication of age and from what the shop manager said, it is selling very well at the moment.
Alex
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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- Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
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- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14906
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK