9 of the best ports to buy

Port has something of an image problem. Its unfortunate reputation calls to mind red-trousered gentlemen puffing cigars after dinner and passing decanters of port to their left – a tradition that allegedly relates to keeping one’s right hand free, in case access to one’s sword is required. Eye rolls all round. However, there is so much more to port than this – read on to find the best port to buy for all occasions, plus understand the many different styles of port.

Jump to:

• Best port to buy at a glance
• What is port wine?
• Best port to buy 2024
• How to drink port
• Best port glasses to buy

Best port to buy at a glance

• Best late-bottled vintage port: Taylor's LBV port, £15
• Best affordable white port: Niepoort dry white port, £21.95
• Best luxury white port: Kopke 10-Year-Old White Port, £35.75
• Best pink port: Croft pink port, £12.74
• Best rosé port: Offley rosé port, £14.99
• Best reserve port: Barros special reserve port, £19.29
• Best vintage port: 1994 Warre’s vintage port, £113
• Best crusted port: Fonesca crusted port, £22.95
• Best tawny port: Corney & Barrow 20-Year-Old Tawny Port, £39.95

What is port wine?

Port is a fortified wine that comes from the Douro region of Portugal, whose main city Oporto (also known as Porto) gives the wine its name. It dates back more than 300 years, when the Brits were at war with France so looked to Portugal – their oldest allies – to quench their thirst for wine. Producers in the Douro valley added a little distilled grape spirit to stabilise and preserve the wines before their long journey aboard sail-powered ships to reach our damp shores. They were an immediate (and lucrative) hit, and close relationships with producers and English shippers endure to this day.

Vintage port is only made in years when there has been an exceptional harvest, and it’s intended to be drunk at least 10 years after bottling (often much longer). Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) spends longer in the barrel before bottling, while tawny port is aged in small barrels and bottled only when it’s deemed ready to drink. Lighter and fresher than vintage and LBV ports, tawny ports have the added advantage of lasting longer after opening.

White port, as the name suggests, is made from white grapes and is generally bottled young. Served over ice with tonic and a slice of orange, a sprig of thyme or maybe a cinnamon stick, it is the aperitif of the Douro region.

Best port to buy 2024

Taylor's LBV port

• Available from Amazon (£15), Tesco (£20), Waitrose Cellar (£19.99)

Best late-bottled vintage port

Like vintage ports, LBVs are made from grapes grown in a single year but are aged in barrel for up to six years before bottling, making them a little lighter, and longer lived once opened. This is a real crowd pleaser for Christmas. Great with a mixed cheeseboard, rich chocolatey puddings and anything with dried fruits, this is also a perfect match for a wintery fruit crumble.

Available from:
Amazon (£15)
Tesco (£20)
Waitrose Cellar (£19.99)

Niepoort Dry White Port

• Available from The Whisky Exchange (£21.95)

Best affordable white port

Made, as its name suggests, from white grapes, and usually sold fresh and young. White port and tonic is THE aperitif in the Douro region, served over lots of ice and garnished with lemon and a sprig of mint, and makes a great, less alcoholic, alternative to a G&T. Give it a seasonal twist by replacing the mint with a cinnamon stick.

This example is not as sweet as many white ports, this has lovely notes of bergamot, bay leaves and toasted almonds. Great with tonic, or chilled and served by itself with citrussy puddings.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£21.95)

Kopke 10-Year-Old White Port

• Available from Amazon (£39.95), Waitrose Cellar (£39.99), The Whisky Exchange (£35.75)

Best luxury white port

Altogether more serious, as its price suggests. Tangerines, honey and a slight tang of ginger, this really special port is great with hard cheeses such as comté or manchego, and is a surprisingly good match with sushi. It will keep for several weeks after it's opened, in the unlikely event you’ll need it to.

Available from:
Amazon (£39.95)
Waitrose Cellar (£39.99)
The Whisky Exchange (£35.75)

Croft Pink Port

• Available from Master of Malt (£12.74), Selfridges (£15.99), The Whisky Exchange (£12.75)

Best pink port

Pink port is made from red grapes that, as with rosé wine, are left for a short time in contact with the juice after pressing to give colour and a little bit of tannic grip. Sweet and fruity, it’s best served over ice with tonic garnished with a slice of orange.

This example has raspberry and cherry fruits with a touch of vanilla, this also makes a great riff on a negroni when used in place of the vermouth.

Available from:
Master of Malt (£12.74)
Selfridges (£15.99)
The Whisky Exchange (£12.75)

Offley Rosé Port

• Available from Waitrose (£14.99)

Best rosé port

Fragrant with notes of mango, Turkish delight and orange blossom, this would be good very cold alongside (or on top of) vanilla ice cream.

Available from:
Waitrose (£14.99)

Barros Special Reserve

• Available from Strictly Wine (£19.29)

Best reserve port

Reserve ports are rubies that have been aged a little longer and have a bit more finesse and complexity. This is intense and velvety with notes of stewed blackcurrants and violets – too good to cook with.

Available from:
Strictly Wine (£19.29)

1994 Warre’s vintage port

• Available from The Whisky Exchange (£113)

Best vintage port

Produced only in the best years, and from the very best grapes, vintage ports are aged in barrel for two years then bottled and laid down for further maturation. The best vintages can be kept for many years, or even decades.

Vintage ports form a sediment at the bottom of the bottle so should be left upright to settle for 24 hours or so, then poured slowly into a decanter or jug, leaving the sediment behind. They oxidise quite quickly after opening, so I recommend rinsing the bottle to get rid of the sediment then pouring the port back into it before serving, and drinking within a week or so.

Deep, dark and tannic, vintage ports are brilliant with hard cheeses but I think the best are enjoyed quietly alone, or maybe with a little very good dark chocolate.

Vintage ports make great gifts for special anniversaries and birthdays. The 1994 vintage is one of the best of the 20th century, and Warre’s is one of the best makers. Intense plum and blackcurrant fruit wrapped around layers of black pepper, liquorice, a bit of mellow smoke and so much more besides.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£113)

Fonseca Crusted Port

• Available from Amazon (£22.95)

Best crusted port

Made in the same way as vintage port but a blend of wines from two or three different harvests, crusted port is so called because, like vintage port, it contains sediment so should be decanted in the same way. Known as ‘the poor man’s vintage’ because it so often punches above its weight for the price (hence why we've only included one option), crusted port is rare these days but well worth seeking out.

This Fonesca crusted port is dark and luscious with intense, brambly fruits, this much-lauded port is lifted with a really fresh acidity. Great quality for the price.

Available from:
Amazon (£22.95)

Corney & Barrow 20-Year-Old Tawny Port

• Available from Corney & Barrow (£39.95)

Best tawny port

Tawny ports are aged in small barrels for a minimum of seven years, often longer, so they lose the dark red colour of ruby and vintage ports and take on a brownish hue from which they get their name. This ageing process means they are very stable, so will keep well for weeks after they’re opened. Most are blended from several vintages – the age on the label indicates the average age of wines in the blend. Single vintage tawnies are labelled colheita along with the year of their harvest.

Tawnies are fresher and more delicate than their fruit-forward cousins, with nutty, leathery notes along with caramel, coffee and orange peel. Served slightly chilled, they’re the most versatile of ports, working with snacks of salted nuts and charcuterie, all but the most pungent cheeses, and anything with dried fruits, chocolate and/or nuts – they cut the richness of Christmas pud really well.

Good aged tawnies don’t come cheap, but this is fantastic for the price. With layers of figs, walnuts, cloves and candied citrus peel, it has compelling complexity and a refreshingly clean finish. Totally delicious alone or with any of the suggestions above, it’s also an incredible match with Portuguese custard tarts.

Available from:
Corney & Barrow (£39.95)

How to drink port

Port and other fortified wines are not just for sipping in winter, they make for great summer drinking, too. Keep these bottles in the fridge, serve them neat or poured over ice, or mix them with tonic water, soda or lemonade. Make free with whatever garnish takes your fancy – lemon, orange, strawberry, thyme, mint, rosemary and bay leaves can all work well. And spread the word – these drinks are cool, in more ways than one.

Best port glasses to buy

Portônica – white port and tonic – is best served as you would a G&T so go with whatever you like best. Some people use stubby tumblers, others prefer more modish balloon-shaped glasses, while I happen to favour tall highballs – it’s really just a matter of choice.

Other ports are traditionally drunk in small glasses – at around 20% ABV, it’s much stronger than unfortified table wine so serves should be smaller. Charity shops and antique fairs are good sources for pretty vintage glasses; don’t feel they all have to match.

LSA Canopy Highballs Set

• Available from LSA International (£45, set of 4)

Made from 100% recycled materials as part of a pioneering sustainable glassware partnership with the Eden Project in Cornwall, these also have a very pretty colour and a cute dimple on their bottom which seem to enhance the freshness of a portônica so well.

Available from:
LSA International (£45, set of 4)

Urban Bar Nick & Nora 1910 Glass

• Available from Amazon (£15)

Named after a couple of sleuths with a fondness for cocktails in the 1934 film, The Thin Man, this pretty etched glass is also perfect for port with a cheeseboard, or just a mince pie and a good book.

Available from:
Amazon (£15)

Riedel Vinum port glass

• Available from Amazon (£40/set of 2)

Riedel famously make a huge range of glasses, each designed to bring out the very best in a specific wine or grape varietal. This classic shape allows port’s aromas to develop while emphasising the concentration of the fruit. A desert-island glass for port, sherry, madeira or any other fortified wine.

Available from:
Amazon (£40/set of 2)

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