Niepoort Dry White

Niepoort Dry White is a dry-styled white Port from Niepoort, the Douro shipper founded in 1842 and run today by the fifth generation. It is blended from the indigenous white varieties Códega, Rabigato, Viosinho, Arinto and Gouveio, grown on the schist soils of the Douro valley. The hot, dry climate ripens the grapes fully, and the must is fortified with grape spirit to around 19.5 percent. Where a standard white Port keeps more residual sweetness, this drier style is fermented further and aged for 36 months in oak, where slow oxidative contact builds nutty, savoury character and turns the colour golden with brown tints. The wine is golden in the glass, with a pronounced aroma of nuts and almonds that follows onto the palate. The palate is concentrated and dry, with hazelnut, dried apricot and a saline edge running into a warm, spirited finish. Serve chilled at 8 to 10 degrees, on its own or over ice as an aperitif.