How to keep old port?

WINE TALK
1

I’m not a Port guy but tonight we uncorked a bottle of 76 Niepoort Colheita and it’s delicious. Will it keep if I cap it with a synthetic stopper? Should I chill or can I keep at room temperature?

2

Chill it. It slows down the oxidation.

3

And in this particular case, since it’s a Colheita (which is just a single vintage “tawny”), it’s already partly oxidized. So it will be fine for several days, or even weeks, particularly if you keep it cold in the fridge as Bob says.

4

That would really depend on when it was bottled. Is it an older Niepoort bottling of this or a newer one? (there should be a bottling date, which may be in Portuguese as “Engarrafado 19XX or 20XX”, somewhere on the front or back label).

Older, then best to drink up in a couple days. Younger, you could stretch that a bit longer. In general, it’s still best to consume older Tawny’s within a few days of opening them. After that they will still be fine, but you’ll start noticing a gradual lack of freshness and grip. I would never keep an open older tawny for weeks. Store in the fridge after opening.

This advice is only for Tawny Ports and not for older Ruby Ports (LBV’s, VP’s, SQVP’s) or Madeira (disclaimer).

5

Just curious why Madeira will lose freshness after opening? Are they already oxidized? How about sherry?
Thanks

6

Madeira will not lose freshness after being opened. In most cases it will improve and/or open up. Madeira is oxidized when made so it is already “ruined.” However if you’ve got one that has been in bottle for a decades it may actually be a bit reduced the air will help restore it. I’ve got bottles open since March that I’m still drinking.

7

I think Andy is saying that his advice for Tawny Ports is different than for Older Rubys (lasts for less time after opening) or Madeira (lasts for more time).

Indeed Madeira will last a long time after opening. I keep opened bottles restoppered in the cellar. (Upright of course)
Fino Sherries will not last long after opening. They are protected from oxidation in cask by the flor. Olorosos will last longer but I think they lose freshness eventually, much like Tawny Ports.

8

What Eric said. What I posted was only regarding tawnys. That last part was my disclaimer so no one would think I was talking about anything other than tawnys. Guess I was wrong lol.