Porto Cruz White

Porto Cruz White is the white expression of Gran Cruz, the volume-leading Port house of the Douro Valley. It is made from the region's white grape varieties, pressed to draw off free-run juice that is fermented cool to preserve aromatic freshness.

During fermentation the must is fortified with grape spirit in the mutage step, halting the yeast and hOlding back natural grape sugar, which is what gives the wine its gentle sweetness and 19% strength. The wine then rests around three years in oak casks, a mild oxidative ageing that rounds the texture and introduces light caramel and dried-fruit notes without darkening it heavily.

Straw-gOld in the glass, it shows white and yellow flowers over orchard fruit of pear and apple, with hints of raisin, honey and vanilla. The palate is soft, fresh and lightly sweet with a touch of caramel on the close. Best served well chilled as an aperitif, or long over ice with tonic and a wedge of citrus; it also pairs with salted nuts, fresh fruit and a light fruit tart.