Burmester Tawny Port

Burmester makes this Tawny Port in the Douro valley of north-east Portugal, a steep schist-soiled region terraced above the river and classified by UNESCO. The wine is a field blend led by Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Amarela, grapes that ripen fully in the hot, dry continental summers of the upper Douro. Fortification with grape spirit halts fermentation while sugar remains, leaving a sweet, warming wine at 18.5% alcohol. What defines a Tawny is the cask: four years in seasoned oak allows slow, controlled oxidation, so the deep ruby of youth fades towards amber and the primary berry fruit develops into raisin, dried fig and nut. The colour is tawny-brown with a fine rim. The nose is dominated by ripe fruit and vanilla from the wood. On the palate it is full bodied, velvety and round, with raisin, plum, walnut and toffee carried on a smooth, gently sweet finish. Serve lightly chilled at around 14 to 16 degrees in a small glass. It suits walnuts and aged hard cheese, chocolate puddings and almond tart.