DONA ANTONIA, 10 year old White Port. Ferreira (Half Bottle)

45% Rabigato , 30% Godello/Gouveio, 15% Códega, 10% Malvasia Fina, matured for an average of 10 years in large, old wood casks.

UK agent Liberty wines:
“Founded in 1751, when the Port trade was dominated by British shippers, Ferreira is the oldest Portuguese Port house and remains the leader in the domestic market. It was under the leadership of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, one of the formidable widows of the world of wine, that the company became the force it is today. Luís Sottomayor is at the winemaking helm and uses grapes from prime Douro vineyard sites and Ferreira’s flagship ‘Quinta do Porto’ to produce Ports characterised by an exuberant ripeness, exceptional concentration, weight and structure, yet wonderful balance.”

This is pretty extraordinary. White Port is mostly used for mixing with tonic to make a light, refreshing but simple aperitif. Just 2 or 3 houses take it seriously, and this is one of the very best examples. White grapes treated like red, and matured extensively in oak to make something almost indistinguishable from a fine Tawny style. Really worth trying – inexpensive for the quality.