Port will be celebrated across the world on 10th September. National Port Day offers the perfect opportunity to explore the many styles of this famous fortified wine.
In his guide to Port styles Richard Mayson explains that there is a Port for all occasions, if you know what you’re looking for. ‘Often thought of as an after-dinner, fireside drink, Port can be enjoyed in multiple ways depending on the character of the wine,’ he says.
Scroll down to discover 12 top-scoring Ports reviewed by Decanter’s team of experts
Take a look at his ‘Know your Port styles – The Decanter guide’ for a formidable look at the Port pyramid, which explains each different style from white Port (often served with tonic water to make an alternative version of a gin & tonic) through to vintage Port and everything in between. It will point you to the right Port for any occasion, winter or summer.
All Port comes from Portugal’s Douro Valley, which is one of the oldest regulated wine regions in the world, with demarcation dating back to 1756. Given the myriad grape varieties native to Portugal more than 100 different varieties are permitted in port production, but in reality just a handful are used.
For red Ports Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinto Cão and Touriga Francesa are the key varieties, while for white Ports, Viosinho, Malvasia Fina, Códega and Rabigato are the most common.
Whatever style you prefer, make sure you enjoy a glass on National Port Day.
To get you in the mood, here’s a selection of recently reviewed Ports.
12 top Ports to try on National Port Day
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Van Zellers & Co., Colheita White, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 1940
Intense, well-structured and coming from an exceptionally dry, low-yielding year. Lengthy time in barrel puts the emphasis firmly on tertiary complexity. Savoury nam pla and...
1940
Van Zellers & Co.Port
Graham's, Fine White, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal
91
Graham’s white Port is fine indeed, unpretentiously balancing fleshy, sweet stone fruit with notes of fresh almonds, camomile and apple blossom. The perfect base for a Port & Tonic or simply on the rocks, this is a compulsory presence in one’s fridge door throughout spring and summer.
Graham'sPort
Adega de Favaios, Pink Port, Baixo Corgo, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2020
Dark cherry rose pink. Still very spirity on the nose, with intense strawberry fruit. Strawberry jam, white chocolate, beeswax and spice are layered on the...
2020
Adega de Favaios
Niepoort, 170th Anniversary VV Tawny, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 1863
The base wine here (a pre-phylloxera 1863 Tawny) provides the core and notes of concentrated, spicy, rich Bolo de Mel (Madeiran honey cake). The youngest...
1863
NiepoortPort
Niepoort, LBV, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2018
Characterful, luscious and deftly balanced, this terrific, unfiltered LBV – 'the little brother of Vintage Port,' says Dirk Niepoort – is irresistible now but will...
2018
NiepoortPort
The Wine Society, The Society's Exhibition Crusted Port, Douro Valley, Portugal
95
From the Symington Family (owners of Cockburn, Dow, Graham and Warre) this is a blend of wines from three different harvests: 2009, 2010 and 2011. Deep and still youthful, with good ripe, berry fruit and concentration hinting at vintage Port. A lovely tannic core, not especially big but with rather lovely balance and poise for a wine at this price level.
The Wine Society
Quinta do Crasto, Colheita, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 1997
Bottled after 18 years in Port pipes, this inaugural Colheita is a ruddy hue with, as if informed by the colour, a lick of toffee...
1997
Quinta do CrastoPort
Graham's, Six Grapes, Douro Valley, Portugal
93
Supremely good reserve (ruby) Port; never the cheapest in the category but consistently out-performs. From grapes grown on Graham’s own estates and aged for two years in wood before being bottled. Deeply coloured, with opulent aromas. Full of flavour, combining ripe, up-front berry and plum fruit with purity and finesse. Just the right amount of tannic grip. Look out for special editions, including Vila Velha bottled as a tribute to James Symington.
Graham's
Quinta do Vale Meão, Vintage, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2000
From the cream of the crop (averaging just 300g per vine) in a generally declared vintage, this Douro Superior, estate-grown Vintage Port retains lovely vibrancy...
2000
Quinta do Vale MeãoPort
Warre's, Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2005
93
Complex and seductive, this is very expressive of both Warre's style and the 2005 vintage. Intense flavours of prunes, dried cherries, coffee and tobacco are lifted by an amazing tannic grip and vibrant acidity. A beautiful lining of smoke, wet leaves and petrichor adds nuance and depth.
2005
Warre'sPort
Kopke, Reserve Tawny, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal
91
Every year in the run-up to Christmas, Waitrose sells 10 wines at £10, and there's rarely a dud in the line-up. Bag this during the offer period and you have a bargain – plump and curranty with soft caramel sweetness. A great introduction to the style, serve slightly chilled. (The Chablis was another highlight in the promotion.)
KopkePort
Morrisons, Ruby Port, Douro Valley, Portugal
90
Produced by the Symington family, this was a worthy medal winner in DWWA 2022. A lovely, honest-to-goodness ruby with vibrant, fleshy style and attractive spicy berry fruit, nicely melded and well defined on both the nose and palate. A real bargain.
Morrisons