Fortified Wine

Tawny Ports are red wines that age in wooden casks and show different shades depending on their age. Colours may vary between intense red gradually mellowing to a golden-brown colour. With time “in-wood”, Tawnys also increase in aromatic complexity, intensifying the aromas of dried fruits (walnuts and almonds), wood, coffee and chocolate, amongst others. The most common references are Tawnys with Indication of Age and Colheitas. A Tawny Port always represents a blend of several batches, with different lengths of time in casks, and whose age average (10, 20, 30 and 40 years) stated on the label, grants that lot its special and unique characteristics.

RUBY

Not all “Ports” are the same! Each style has its own unique characteristics, production method, ageing potential and colour. The only unifying attribute of all “Ports” are that they are fortified.
Contrary to the common held belief, the crafting of a fine “Port” is amongst the most challenging endeavours to undertake – as it requires meticulous dedication to each step of the process from the vineyard, the ferment, fortification, barrel maturation, culminating in blending and the creation of wines that can easily mature for decades.There are many types, at Ashby Wines, we currently stock Cape Vintage wines.

CAPE VINTAGE

These are full-bodied and dark wines from a single vintage, which have been matured in oaken casks or tank for at least one year. All Cape Vintage’s must be certified, sold as a vintage wine and may only be sold in glass. An ideal Cape Vintage is an extremely dark, full bodied, aromatic, structured and “drier” in style – these are wines which can confidently be cellared for a decade or more. Best decanted and leisurely enjoyed with flavoursome rustic fare, mature cheeses or sipped leisurely.