Produced exclusively in the Duoro Valley of Portugal, Port is a fortified wine with a history reaching back to the times of the Roman Empire. The wine producing Duoro region is the third oldest protected wine region in the world.
Warre's Port, like the wine it makes, has an extensive history. The firm that became what we know as Warre's was established in 1670 as a trading company, exporting wines, olive oil and fruit, and importing dried cod and English woolen goods. Over time the company grew and evolved. By the close of the 18th century, Warre's had become one of the leading companies exporting port.
The Warre family, for whom the company is named, arrived in Portugal in 1729 when the first Warre joined the trading company. This William Warre was born in India where his parents and grandparents were members to the East India Company. The second William Warre made immense contributions, serving as a member of His Majesty's Consul. The third William Warre is known not only as an important figure in port, but in British and Portuguese military history. He was invaluable in the fight against Napoleon Bonaparte and his invading armies and in the recovery of Portugal's independence. Not to mention, this third William Warre supplied the Duke of Wellington with Port from Warre's.
Today, the Symington Family (whose own history and involvement in Port spans over 350 years and 13 generations), are owners and managers of Warre's Port. Currently six members of the Symington Family are actively involved in Warre's day to day management. The family is part of the exclusive Primum Family Vini- a group of eleven leading wine families in the world (whose membership includes another member of the Vineyard Brands family, the Perrins).
Port has a rich, luscious style, with considerable aging potential. The fermentation of Port is suprisingly short- only about two days- as it is a fortified wine and a natural grape spirit is added to the fermenting juice. Warre's Vintage Ports are known for their elegance and finesse, intense red fruit flavors and floral violet and "esteva" aromas.
“Warre’s remains one of the gems of Vintage Port and the Symingtons are continuously polishing it.”
Warre's Port has certainly come a long way from its days as a trading company. Today the company makes a variety of excellent Ports. Port, too, has come a long way over the years. Today it is a popular drink and can even be used in cocktails.
White Port: Produced from white grape varieties, aged for an average of three years. Fresh and invigorating, an excellent aperitif. In summer, it may be served over ice.
Ruby: A robust, young, fruity port aged an average of three years in wood.
King's Tawny: An elegant, mellow tawny aged three years in casks.
Warrior: Vintage character port is oldest brand port in the world. It is a blend of top quality ports matured in wood for six years then bottled.
Otima 10-YearTawny Port: An outstanding 10Year OldTawny Port with a light delicate palate. Aged all of its life in wooden casks, it has a nose of dried fruits and walnuts, and flavors of nuts highlighted by mature fruit: well-balanced and with a long, fresh finish. Needs no decanting and can be served slightly chilled as an accompaniment to cheese, nuts or dried fruit after a meal.
20 Years Old Tawny Port: Cask-aged for 20 years, this tawny port has the classic hallmarks of Old Tawny, namely delicous soft raisiny fruit, a glorious nutty bouquet, superb balance and a long, lingering finish.
Otima 20-Year Tawny Port: This more modern style of tawny port epitomizes everything that is great about a superbly balanced Twenty Year Old Tawny; the translucent copper-colored tone of the wine is matched by the beautiful soft nutty aromas gained by a full twenty years aging in seasoned oak casks. Otima20 is rich and delicate, but never cloying, the tannins and acidity ensure balance and perfect length.
Late-Bottled Vintage Port: Selected casks from a particularly good vintage, but bottled four years after the vintage rather than two years. Warre’s produces a traditional LBV which is neither fined nor filtered. The result is a wine that has true vintage character but because of the extra barrel age is sooner ready to drink.
Quinta da Cavadinha: Vintage port from the 35 hectare “quinta” or vineyard of this name owned by Warre’s. “Cavadinha” means “well tilled” or “well nurtured”, and this property is one of the nest in the Alto Douro. This single quinta wine is vinified, matured and bottled separately. In vintage years, it forms a substantial part of the Warre’s vintage blend. The 1978 was the first unblended vintage from Quinta da Cavadinha.
Vintage Port: In outstanding years, port shippers declared a “vintage”. The best casks are selected and after eighteen months, the wines are blended and bottled. The wines are not ned or ltered and with bottle age will throw a sediment, hence the name “Crusted Port”. In recent years, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been declared “vintage”.
