The types of port at a glance
| Type | Taste | Drink with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby | Red fruit, young, powerful | Dark chocolate, strong cheeses | The cheapest |
| Tawny (10, 20, 30, 40 years) | Nutty, caramel, dried fruit | Nut desserts, cheeses | The stated age is a blend average |
| White | Dry or sweet, fresh | On its own, or as a "port tonic" | Serve very cold |
| LBV and Vintage | More complex, from a great year | Special occasions | A vintage is decanted and drunk within days of opening |
How to drink it
- As an aperitif: a dry white or a chilled tawny.
- With dessert: a tawny or ruby with cheese, nuts or chocolate.
- In summer: the port tonic, a white topped with tonic, ice and mint.
- Temperature: fairly cool for white and tawny, cellar temperature for ruby.
Where to taste it
The historic cellars are in Vila Nova de Gaia, across from the Ribeira. Read Port wine cellars in Gaia for the choice of houses, and Tasting in the Gaia cellars: which one to choose to compare offers. For a broader approach to wine, the WOW – World of Wine museum has exhibitions and tastings.
How much to spend
Prices vary with the house, the tasting and the bottle. For a tasting of three or four types, an online cellar tasting listing shows from about 30 € per person at Cockburn's according to an ad consulted in October 2026. To buy, a ruby or young tawny costs less than a 20-year-old or a vintage: compare in shops before buying.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Buying at the first cellar you meet: compare prices, especially in the tourist district.
- Confusing age and vintage: a "10-year" tawny is a blend, not a specific year.
- Serving it too warm: a white or tawny port is better chilled.
- Port is not the Douro's table wine: the Douro also makes table wines; port is the region's fortified wine.
Which option to choose?
- You are discovering: a tasting of three types in a big Gaia cellar.
- You want a souvenir: a 10 or 20-year tawny.
- You like it fresh: a white as a port tonic.
- You want to see the vines: a Douro valley excursion.
Going further
For the wine of the neighbouring region, read the vinho verde guide; to see the vines, see Douro Valley from Porto.
