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Christening Port Wine Gifts

Choosing a special gift to mark a christening can be difficult, you want something meaningful, personal, and lasting. A carefully selected bottle of Port is a beautiful way to commemorate the arrival of a new child. When laid down at birth or christening, the Port matures gracefully over many years and becomes a treasured keepsake to open on a milestone birthday, graduation, or even a wedding day.

It’s a tradition that has been cherished for generations, offering both sentiment and lasting value.

Engraving
Dows Quinta Do Bomfim Vintage Port 2013 In Wooden Gift Box
£43.95 - £43.95
£43.95
£43.95 - £43.95
£43.95

Dows Quinta Do Bomfim Vintage Port 2013 In Wooden Gift Box 75cl

Dows
In stock

Dows Quinta Do Bomfim Vintage Port 2013 Presented in its own wooden gift case This port has a deep red colour with complex aromas of jammy red fru...

View full details
£43.95 - £43.95
£43.95
£43.95 - £43.95
£43.95

Why Choose Vintage Port For A Christening Gift?

When selecting a bottle intended to be opened 18 or 21 years later, Vintage Port stands out as the most traditional and reliable option.

  • Exceptional ageing potential: Vintage Port is one of the few wines made to improve over decades. Properly cellared, it develops deeper flavours, more complexity, and a velvety smoothness with time.
  • Deep-rooted tradition: For generations, families in Britain have celebrated a birth or christening by laying down a case of Vintage Port for the future.
  • Emotional significance: The bottle becomes more meaningful as the years pass, creating a shared story between the giver and the child.
  • Potential value increase: Vintages from respected houses and good harvest years can appreciate in financial value as well as in quality.

How To Choose The Right Vintage

A few simple considerations will help you select a Port that will age gracefully until the child reaches adulthood.

  • Match the birth year: A Port from the child’s birth year adds a personal and meaningful touch.
  • Look for declared vintages: Only certain years are officially declared for Vintage Port, meaning the harvest was exceptional and the wine is built for long ageing. Checking whether the birth year was declared, or choosing a nearby high-quality vintage, ensures longevity.
  • Pick a trusted producer: Houses such as Taylor’s, Graham’s, Fonseca, and others have long-standing reputations for consistency and craftsmanship.
  • Plan for storage: Long-term ageing requires stable, cool, dark conditions. Parents may use home cellars, wine fridges, or professional storage facilities to keep the bottle in ideal condition.

Christening Port FAQS

How long will a Vintage Port last?

Properly stored, Vintage Port can age for 20, 30, 40 years or more. For a christening gift, it will be in excellent condition when the child reaches 18 or 21.

Can I store the bottle at home?

Yes as long as conditions are stable. A cool, dark place with a steady temperature is ideal. A wine fridge or home cellar works well. If in doubt, professional wine storage is a safe option.

Want to learn more? Read our How To Store Port Wine

What if the child’s birth year wasn’t a declared vintage?

This is common. Simply choose a nearby declared vintage or a high-quality single-quinta Vintage Port. It will still make a meaningful and long-lasting gift.

Should the bottle be opened at 18 or 21?

Either is appropriate. Many families wait until the child’s 21st, but it depends on the wine and personal preference. Vintage Port is often drinking beautifully at both ages.

Do you offer engraving or personalised gift messages?

Yes we can personalise your port gift with engraving, a gift note, or special packaging to mark the occasion.

Which Port styles are not suitable for laying down?

Not all Ports improve with decades in the cellar. Avoid these styles for a long-term christening gift:

  • Tawny Port: Already barrel-aged and ready to drink; won’t develop further in the bottle.
  • Ruby Port: Bright and fruity but not built for long-term ageing.
  • Late Bottled Vintage (LBV): Delicious and approachable, but intended for earlier drinking rather than decades of maturation.