Kopke releases £290 white Port

Hoping to capitalise on the growing popularity of the white Port and tonic serve in the UK, Kopke has released a ‘Very Old Dry White’ Port priced at £290 a bottle.

With just 350 bottles going on sale through UK importer Hayward Bros, the white Port is a blend of very old and rare wines from the last century aged in 300-litre casks for at least 50 years.

According to its makers, Kopke Very Old Dry White has “intense and complex aromas of spice, dried fruit, yellow stone fruits and delicate notes of citrus”. “Vibrant” yellow in colour and dry on the palate, the Port boasts a “concentrated, rich and velvety mouthfeel”, rounding off with “an incredible delicate finish”.

“We are so fortunate here at Kopke to be custodians of these very old and rare wines and we feel we have a duty to safeguard this legacy for future generations. We also wanted to celebrate our history by creating this Very Old Dry White”, said Carlos Alves, Sogevinus Fine Wines’ Port winemaker and master blender.

“Although delicate, this Port is versatile and is the perfect match for an almond tart, apple crumble, or even paired with a blue cheese, foie gras, scallop gratin or prawn tempura,” Alves added.

Founded in 1638 by Nicolau Kopke, Kopke was established long before the Douro was recognised as a demarcated wine region. Today, Kopke is known for its old Colheitas and unique collection of old white Ports made in São Luiz in the Douro Valley.

The house owns 125 hectares of land, 90 hectares of which are planted with vines, including many very old vines. Portuguese restaurant Bar Douro in London Bridge has helped to champion the white Port and tonic serve during the summer months in London.

Though given the price of Kopke’s new release, it may be deemed sacrilegious to mix it with tonic.