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Types of Wine for Investment - Port

Port dates back to the War of Spanish Succession in 1702 when supplies of Britain's favourite wine, claret, were cut off. Suppliers were keen to produce `the new claret' and encouraged by new trade agreements with Portugal, they endeavoured to find new wines in the Douro valley.

To keep the wine healthy on the long journey back to Britain, brandy was added to the wine and this produced a new category of wine - fortified wine. By adding brandy halfway through fermentation, the wine tasted much sweeter and by the mid 19th century it became common practice.

Traditionally, grapes were picked and then taken to a central farm or "quinta" where they were placed into wide concrete troughs. Once the men returned from the vineyards, the afternoon and evening were spent treading tons of grapes - using only their clean feet. Until 1986 all port had, by law, to be shipped through Vila Nova de Gaia but this is no longer the case.

 

Shippers "declare" the best vintages and these wines take between 15 and 20 years to mature. Single Quinta wines are from the best farms but in "non-declared" years. Bottled after 2 years, but not sold until they are about 10 years old, a single Quinta is much cheaper than vintage port and usually a very good buy. Crusted ports are also a fantastic buy. They may be from one vintage or a blend of high quality wine from several vintages. They are bottled after 3 or 4 years. The term "crusted" comes from the deposit the wine throws in the bottle.

Good producers include Graham Warre, Dow, Quinta do Noval, Taylor, Smith Woodhouse and Cockburn. Port offers great investment potential and is an ideal gift; give a young bottle as a christening present and it should reach its peak once its owner has reached maturity.

Below are links relating to Port:

 

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Provider Overdraft / Interest Rate
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HSBC Current Account Free international debit card   Details

 

As with many types of investment, there are no guarantees that wine will make you a profit and a very small percentage of all wine produced will go on to increase in value. Taking good advice is always recommended as well as thorough research. Click on our Quick Enquiry Form for more information or independent advice.

 

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