Marketing

Port – oft’ loverlooked

The market for Port is an oft’-overlooked one but it’s one that’s particularly pertinent in the lead-up to Christmas. Over half of the fortified wines sold in the UK, for example, are purchased in the weeks before Christmas.

Just as Irish whiskey enjoys geographical protection in that only whiskey distilled in Ireland may be termed ‘Irish whiskey’, so too ‘Port’ can only be made in Portugal.

And just as in the Irish whiskey market, sales of Port and sherry have tended to expand mostly at the premium end of this market as the UK Wine & Spirit Trade Association pointed out recently.

What’s more the age profile for today’s Port drinkers might surprise you. In a You Gov poll of wine drinkers there 16% of 18-24 year-olds and 20% of 25-34 year-olds said they’d drunk port this year compared to 27% of over 55 year-olds.

Here in Ireland, Port sold some 26,500 nine-litre cases in 2016 according to IWSR figures.

Port can be purchased in three distinct styles: white, tawny and ruby. While the enjoyment of Port has traditionally tended to centre around the Festive season, it need not be limited to the just this time of year.

With such versatility and variety involved, white Port, for example, perfectly suits Summer while aged tawny Port can be served chilled in Summer too.

 

Warre’s Port to Drink or to gift

Port is the quintessential Christmas drink for many, be it an aperitif, an accompaniment to Festive food or a hot Port, the ideal warm-up drink.

Warre’s, the oldest British Port House, was founded in the Duero region of Portugal in 1670. Owned and managed by the Symington family, Warre’s is one of Port’s most forward-thinking producers.

Warre’s launch of Otima 10 Year-Old Tawny Port caused a revolution in Port, introducing a completely new concept to consumers now acknowledged as the most successful new development in Port.

Febvre wine company distributes Warre’s Ports in Ireland.

 

Warre’s Otima 10 Year-Old Tawny Port (in gift carton)

This Award-winning Port is matured for 10 years in seasoned oak casks. It has a beautifully rounded, smooth texture. Serve chilled as an aperitif, with a starter of fois-gras or liver paté; ideal with Christmas pudding, chocolate desserts and soft, creamy cheeses.

 

Warre’s Warrior Special Reserva

Serve this full-bodied Port with high quality chocolate or desserts like chocolate mousse and strong cheeses.

 

Warre’s Late Bottled Vintage 2004

Matured in oak cask for four years and a further four years in a bottle, all this aging allows for superb development. Warre’s LBV Port is generally acknowledged to be the finest of its type. Enjoy with chocolate, roasted walnuts and cheeses such as Gubbeen or Comte.

 

Warre’s Quinta de Cavadinha Vintage 2001

One of the great strengths of Vintage Port is that it gives equal pleasure enjoyed young and after several decades in bottle. This Port is best paired with blue or cured cheese, with many desserts or simply on its own.

 

 


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