Ramos Pinto 20 Year Tawny Port

Founded in 1880, there’s a long, recognized tradition of high quality behind Ramos Pinot Ports. This particular Tawny Port from their top end collection is named after the vineyard, or “Quinta,” that provides its grapes: Quinta Do Bom Retiro. This just happens to be one of the oldest vineyards in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Tawny ports in general, get their name from the beautifully distinctive “tawny” colour that develops as red port wine matures for many year in porous casks, taking on lighter, more caramel-toned shades. Rather than being a wine that’s simply been aged for just 20 years, wines like this are actually a masterful blend (just like Champagne often requires master blending) of casks of many different ages in order to achieve exactly the perfect balance of aged and new–and an average of 20 years of age between it all. The result is lucious depth and racy brightness; savoury, semi-sweet, elegant and so delicious. Serve it slightly chilled and drink whenever the heck you want. Desert not actually required.