Which port should you buy and how long will it keep? What is the difference between the different types. It can get very confusing when deciding to buy a Ruby, Tawny Vintage, Late bottled Vintage, Reserve or a single Quinta Port.

Tawny Port wine is light in colour compared with other ports

Tawny Port - Small barrel Wood Aged Port

This type of Port has more contact with the surface of the barrel's wood. The small casks only hold 550 litres of Port compared with the larger vats that hold between 20,000 to 100,000 litres. It is exposed to more oxygenation and takes on a smoky, spicy flavour from contact with the wood.

The Port will be a blend of wines from different years. When the age is shown on the bottle label is expressed in years that does not actually mean the exact years that port has been aged. It is an expression of quality and taste. It has a lighter colour than other ports and actually smells slightly smoky. When opened it will last around two months.

Ruby Port wine is a darker colour compared with Tawny ports

Ruby Port - Large Vat Wood Aged Port

This type of Port is aged in big barrels. The liquid has less contact with the wood and therefor oxygenation is reduced. It has a more fruity flavour and a deeper colour than the he Tawny Ports.

Ruby Port is aged between 2-3 years in the wooden vat before being bottled and sold as ready to drink. The Port will be a blend of wines from different years. When opened it should be drunk within one month. The longer it is exposed to oxygen the more acidic it becomes.

Vintage port wine made in Porto Portugal aged in large wooden vats

Vintage or Reserve Port - Large Vat Wood Aged Port

This type of Port is aged in very large vats for between 3-4 years. It has even less contact with the wood that Ruby Port and less oxygenation occurs. It has a deep red colour and fruity flavour. It is then bottled and sold ready to drink.

The Port will be a blend of wines from different years. When opened it should be drunk within two days. The longer it is exposed to oxygen the more acidic it becomes.

Late bottled Vintage or Reserve Port - Large Vat Wood Aged Port

This is made exactly in the same way as the normal Vintage or Reserve Port with the exception that it is aged in the vat for longer. The Port will be a blend of wines from the same growing season.

This time between 4-6 years. The bottle will carries vintage and bottling date on the label. This again is a Port that should be drunk once the bottle is opened. Buy small bottles of LBV Port. Just buy the size of bottle that can be consumed after opening.

Late bottled Vintage port aged in large wooden vats

Single Quinta - Bottle aged Port

This Port is a blend of wine from the same year and is matured in a vat for two years before being bottled. Single Quinta port is sold for the buyer to age in the bottle. It is not good to drink when it is purchased. It should be aged a further 8 - 30 years.

Vintage Port - Bottle aged Port

This similar Port is also a blend of wine from the same year that is matured in a vat for two years before being bottled. Vintage bottle aged port is sold for the buyer to age in the bottle. It is not good to drink when it is purchased. It should be aged a further 8 - 50 years. That is a long time to wait for a drink.

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