Most Ports are a blend of wines from several years, but Vintage Port is a blend of the highest quality wines of one vintage. These magnificent dessert wines are only produced in years that the Port houses declare worthy of vintage production, on average three or four years out of every decade. The wine is aged for two years in wood, and then bottled for further aging – years or even decades. During this maturation process in the bottle, the tannic, high-alcohol young wine gradually evolves into a rich, mellow and fragrant Vintage Port. Compared to non-vintage Port, which is blended to ensure consistency with each bottling, a Vintage Port is unique, showcasing the best qualities of one year’s harvest.
