How To Store Port Wine

Port wine is a timeless, rich, and flavourful fortified wine that can be enjoyed over many years, provided it’s stored correctly. Whether you’re an occasional drinker or a serious collector, knowing how to properly store port can enhance its quality, ensure it ages gracefully, and help you get the most out of each bottle.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for storing port wine, from short-term to long-term, to preserve its exceptional character.

1. Store Port In A Cool, Dark Place

Port is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can negatively affect its taste and ageing process. The ideal storage temperature for port is between 10-15°C (50-59°F), away from direct sunlight. Heat can cause the wine to expand, leading to leaks or even spoilage, while cold can dull its flavours. A wine cellar or a cool, dark cupboard can be perfect for keeping your port in pristine condition.

2. Store Port Bottles Horizontally

Like many wines, port should be stored lying on its side. This ensures that the cork remains in contact with the wine, preventing it from drying out and allowing air to seep in. A dried cork can lead to oxidation, which can spoil the port. If you plan to drink the port soon or if the bottle has a screw cap or synthetic cork, this rule can be less strict, but for long-term storage, horizontal is best.

3. Avoid Vibration

Keeping port in a calm, stable environment is key. Vibration from heavy traffic, appliances, or even loud sounds can disturb the sediment in vintage ports, potentially affecting the wine’s clarity and taste. Find a storage location that is free from excessive movement or shaking to allow the wine to rest undisturbed.

4. Properly Store Opened Port

Once opened, port has a longer shelf life than most wines due to its higher alcohol content, but it still needs to be stored correctly to maintain its flavour. Ruby and late bottled vintage (LBV) ports can last up to two weeks after opening if kept in the fridge, while tawny and white ports can last for up to a month. Always use a good quality stopper or vacuum seal to limit oxygen exposure, which causes the wine to degrade.

5. Age Appropriate Storage

Port comes in various styles, and how you store it depends on the type: Vintage ports are designed to age for decades in the bottle. They should be stored for the long term in a cool, dark place, and once opened, decanted carefully to separate the sediment. Tawny ports are aged in wooden barrels and are more stable once bottled. They don’t require as long-term storage and can be consumed over several months. Ruby ports are typically consumed young and are not meant for extended ageing, so short-term storage is best.

6. Avoid Storing Port Upright Long-Term

While port bottles with a screw cap can stand upright, it’s best not to store corked bottles upright for long periods. A dry cork can shrink and crack, allowing oxygen to prematurely age the wine. Lying the bottle down keeps the cork moist and tightly sealed, preserving the port’s integrity.

7. Serving Temperature For Stored Port

Serving port at the right temperature ensures you get the full experience of its flavours. After storing your port correctly, serve it slightly below room temperature for optimal flavour release: Vintage Port: 16-18°C. Tawny Port: 14-16°C, Ruby Port: 16-18°C. Once the bottle has reached the ideal temperature, open it and let it breathe for a while - particularly with vintage port, which can benefit from decanting.

8. Decanting Vintage Port

Vintage ports naturally form sediment over time. When storing these bottles for the long term, it’s important to decant them before serving. Store the bottle upright for a day or two before opening, allowing the sediment to settle at the bottom. When it’s time to serve, slowly pour the port into a decanter, leaving the sediment behind in the bottle.

Storing port wine is relatively simple, but attention to detail will reward you with a port that maintains its full depth of flavour and elegance. Whether you’re collecting vintage ports to age for decades or storing a bottle for the next big occasion, following these steps ensures your port remains in peak condition. With the right storage, your port wine will continue to deliver its rich, complex flavours for many years to come.