Sandeman Tawny Port – the golden-brown elegance of the Douro Valley

The Sandeman Tawny Port is a masterfully composed port that embodies the perfect balance between youthful fruit and the noble maturity of a traditionally aged tawny. While ruby port impresses with its fiery colour, tawny stands out for its amber sheen and fine nutty character. With a robust alcohol content of 19.5% vol. it offers a silky texture and an aromatic complexity that make it a favourite of connoisseurs worldwide. Anyone looking to buy a stylish and versatile port will find the ideal combination of centuries of tradition and modern enjoyment in Sandeman Tawny.

The philosophy: maturity under the sign of the Don

Since its founding in 1790, Sandeman has perfected the art of blending. A tawny port differs from a ruby above all through contact with oxygen during ageing. In accordance with EU Regulation 1169/2011 (FIC) this product offers full transparency. The philosophy of the house of Sandeman is to create wines that keep a vital freshness despite their maturity. The "Don" on the label vouches for a quality profile that has remained consistent and reliable for generations.

Sensory analysis

Tasting Sandeman Tawny Port reveals a profile that impresses with its amber brilliance, softness and subtle spice.

• Colour: In the glass the port shows a clear, bright amber-yellow to copper-red (tawny colour).

• Aromas (nose): The nose is dominated by a complex bouquet that reflects its development in wooden casks:

  • Fruit: Ripe red fruit, combined with notes of dried apricots and raisins.

  • Nuts & spice: Distinct hints of roasted almonds, hazelnuts and a touch of vanilla.

  • Sweetness: A fine caramel note and nuances of honey round off the profile.

• Structure & mouthfeel: On the palate the tawny is exceptionally supple. It is lighter and more elegant than a ruby, with a texture that glides silkily over the tongue.

• Balance: The sweetness is perfectly embedded in the warm alcohol structure of 19.5% vol., which gives the wine a pleasant lightness.

• Finish: The finish is harmonious and medium-long, leaving a fine nutty spice.

Origin & terroir 

The base wines for Sandeman Tawny come from the historic schist vineyards of the Douro Valley.

Soil structure and microclimate

The vines grow on the extremely poor schist soils, which are responsible for the concentration and minerality of the ports. The region's hot, dry microclimate ensures that the grapes (including Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca) develop high natural sweetness and intense aromas.

Viticultural philosophy

Sandeman attaches great importance to selecting lots suited to longer ageing in wood. Only wines with the right structure and aromatic stability are chosen for the tawny programme, so that they come through the oxidative ageing process at their best.

Vinification & ageing

The decisive difference of Sandeman Tawny lies in its special ageing process.

• Fortification: As with all ports, fermentation is stopped by adding grape spirit, to preserve the natural sweetness.

• Oxidative ageing: Unlike ruby, tawny matures in smaller oak casks. Through increased contact with oxygen (micro-oxidation), the wine changes colour from red to amber and develops its characteristic tertiary aromas such as nuts and caramel.

• Master blending: The final blend is assembled from wines of different ages, to achieve the perfect balance between freshness and mature complexity.

Food pairing & serving

Sandeman Tawny Port is an extremely flexible companion that shines both on its own and with food.

• Suggested dishes: An ideal partner for nut desserts, crème caramel or a classic tarte Tatin (apple tart).

• Savoury pairing: It goes surprisingly well with creamy goose liver parfait or mild blue cheese.

• Serving temperature: We recommend chilling this tawny lightly, to 12–14 °C before serving.

• Storage: Thanks to its oxidative ageing, this port is quite stable once opened and stays in optimal condition for about 4–6 weeks in a cool place.

Technical details & mandatory information

Product specifications

Average nutritional values (per 100 ml)

In accordance with EU Regulation 2021/2117:

Producer & food business operator

Producer:

Sogrape Vinhos, S.A.

Rua 5 de Outubro, 4527

4430-809 Avintes

Portugal