Quality whites?

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 12:28 Wed 05 Sep 2007

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

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 14:43 Wed 05 Sep 2007

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.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 06:59 Sat 08 Sep 2007

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:

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 Ã¢€‟ 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, crÃƒÂ¨me brulee and more…

(from their website at http://www.laithwaites.co.uk).

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

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 09:15 Sat 08 Sep 2007

Very interesting - and first time I've seen Andresen products offered in the UK.

Looks like they don't do less than a case of 12 - any takers for sharing a box - 3 or 4 bottles each perhaps?

Tom

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 13:13 Sat 08 Sep 2007

Opps

I forgot one.

Vista Alegre Old White Port. This was aged in cask approximately 25 years. I must say an excellant old white port and if you can get your hands on a bottle or two Tom, grab them.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 23:25 Sun 09 Sep 2007

You can get them by the single bottle from the retail outlets that they have in some places around the country.

Alex

Post by **DRT** » 00:48 Sat 22 Sep 2007

Laithwaites have sold Andresen ports for many years. I have had the LBV and, I think, a vintage from them in the past. I would share a case but wouldn't want more than 2 or 3 bottles.

Derek