Fabelhaft WHITE Porto

Fabelhaft WHITE Porto is the white expression of the affordable, terroir-driven Fabelhaft range that Dirk Niepoort launched in 2004. Fruit comes from low-yielding Old vineyards in the Cima Corgo heart of the Douro Valley, and the wine is finished at the Niepoort lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia in the house's lighter, fresher style rather than a heavy oxidative one.

White Port is made by fermenting white Douro grapes on their skins for a short time, then arresting the fermentation with grape spirit to keep natural sweetness and lift the strength to 19.5%. Ageing in large wooden vats followed by a spell in Older oak rounds the wine without pushing it toward deep colour, so it hOlds a pale straw tone and keeps its fruit intact.

Expect aromas of almond and hazelnut over dried apricot and orchard fruit, a semi-dry palate where the grape spirit knits into ripe fruit, and a clean, slightly saline finish. Serve it well chilled as an aperitif, long over ice with tonic and a twist of lemon, or alongside salted nuts and firm cheeses.