Fonseca Porto Tawny Port

Fonseca, a Fladgate Partnership house with a long Douro pedigree, makes this Tawny from the classic red port grapes Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cao. It sits between the fresh Ruby and the age-dated Tawnies as an easygoing wood-matured style.

The reds are fortified with grape spirit during fermentation, then aged in wooden casks rather than sealed away in bottle. That oxidative time softens the colour toward amber and pulls the flavour away from primary red fruit toward nut, caramel and gentle spice, giving a rounder, mellower wine than the vigorous Rubies.

Expect a warm amber pour with aromas of dried fruit, toffee and toasted nut over a light chocolate note. The palate is smooth and creamy, carrying caramel and raisin into a soft, lightly spiced finish. Serve lightly chilled as a digestif, or pair it with coffee, dark chocolate and a wedge of aged cheese.