Taylors Fine Tawny Port

Port starts as wine fortified with neutral grape spirit, which stops fermentation early and leaves natural sweetness. Tawny then spends its time in wooden casks, where slow oxidation turns the colour from red to golden-brown and brings out nutty flavours. For this bottle the wines are chosen for smoothness and blended a few months before bottling. It shows a pale brick colour with a broad amber rim. The nose is ripe berries, butterscotch, figs and prunes with nuts and spice, and the palate is smooth and round with strawberry jam.

Serve it slightly cool and straight from the bottle, with no decanting. In continental Europe it is a popular aperitif, and it is just as good after a meal with salted almonds, a bowl of berries or a wedge of blue cheese.