# Niepoort Tawny Port (NV)

- **Producer:** Niepoort
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** fortified
- **Grapes:** Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Touriga Nacional
- **Region:** Douro, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 19.5%
- **Average price:** €16
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 12–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, cherry, raspberry, cedar, dried fig, prune, walnut, hazelnut, caramel, toffee, cinnamon

## About this wine

Niepoort is an independent, family-owned port house established in 1842 by Franciscus Marius van der Niepoort. Today, Dirk Niepoort leads the fifth generation, bringing an artisanal and innovative philosophy to traditional Douro winemaking. Niepoort Tawny Port represents the classic entry-level aged tawny style, crafted from grapes grown in the steep terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley. Unlike young ruby ports, tawny ports spend extended time maturing in small oak casks (pipas), where gentle oxidation transforms their character, softening tannins and building complex nut and dried fruit nuances while retaining vibrant freshness.

## Interesting facts

- Niepoort was founded by Dutch immigrants in 1842 and remains family-owned today.
- Dirk Niepoort revolutionized Douro winemaking by pioneering non-fortified dry still wines alongside classic ports.
- Tawny Port derives its golden-brown color from years of slow micro-oxygenation in small wooden barrels called pipas.

## Food pairing

Tawny Port's balance of sweetness, rich nuttiness, and fortified warmth makes it an exceptional match for rich desserts, roasted nuts, and savory cured items. The high alcohol and sweetness harmonize with rich fatty cheeses like blue or aged Gouda, while the oxidative fruit profile compliments caramelized dairy and dark chocolate desserts effortlessly.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested from low-yielding Douro vineyards and predominantly trodden in traditional granite lagares to extract optimal color and flavor prior to fermentation. Fermentation is halted at the desired residual sweetness by fortifying the must with neutral grape spirit (77% ABV). The wine is then aged in small oak casks (pipas holding around 550 liters) for an average of 3.5 years in the lodge cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia. Master blenders carefully select and combine casks of various ages to achieve Niepoort's signature balance of fresh fruit, elegance, and oxidative complexity.