NV Taylor Fladgate - Porto White Chip Dry

Taylor Fladgate is one of the oldest founding Port houses, tracing its history back to 1692 and remaining independent and family-influenced throughout its long history. While the house is best known for its vintage Ports and was also a pioneer of the Late Bottled Vintage category, it holds another distinction as the first producer to develop a dry white aperitif style of Port. Chip Dry was created in 1934 and has since built a loyal following well beyond Portugal.

The wine is made from white grapes grown in the Douro Superior, the warmer eastern stretch of the valley, with Malvasia Fina forming the backbone of the blend. Unlike sweeter white Ports, Chip Dry is fortified later in fermentation, once much of the natural sugar has already converted to alcohol, producing its characteristic dryness. The individual lots are aged separately in oak vats for four to five years before being blended together just before bottling for balance.

The color is a pale straw, with a delicate nose of fresh fruit layered over soft, oak-derived notes. The palate is lively and crisp, finishing dry with a touch of tangy minerality. Serve well chilled as an aperitif, plain or with tonic and a sprig of mint, alongside salted almonds or olives.