Kopke Special Reserve Tawny

Taste history with the oldest Port Wine House. Every wine tells a story. Kopke’s Reserve Ports however, tell a unique story.

Vines: The rows of vines are traditionally planted across the slope in horizontal terraces. More recently, vines have been planted up the slope (called “vinha ao alto”, meaning vertically planted).

Soil: Schist-sandstone (greywacke), interspersed with granite in some places.

Heigh: Up to 600 metres.

Grape Varieties: Traditional Douro grape varieties.

Tasting Notes: Brown colour, with a golden rim. A powerful and rich bouquet, with subtle notes of vanilla. On the palate, it is complex and balanced, with a fine finish.

Vinification and Ageing: Hand-picked at the optimum time, the grapes are then destemmed, crushed and converted into wine through a process of careful maceration to extract their colour, tannins and aromas, enhanced by constant churning during fermentation. This takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature (between 28-30°C) until the right degree of sweetness (baumé) is achieved. At this point, grape brandy is added to create the final fortified wine. A very fine wine, made by blending wines of different harvests and ages that have matured in wood for at least 7 years.

Recommendations: A delicate and fresh wine, it is perfect with light and fragrant desserts, such as pumpkin millefueille with almond sorbet, banana and blueberry muffins, or delicious pear and honey tartelettes. Best served at a temperature between 12 and 14°C.

Storage: The wine should be stored in a cool and dry place, sheltered from light and temperature fluctuations, and the bottle should remain in an upright position. Over time, it is natural that sediment will form at the bottom of a bottle of Port wine.

Winemaker: Carlos Alves