Cockburns 10 Year Old Tawny Port

You may have noticed recently, that drinks companies are getting terribly modern with their serving suggestions. Sherry brands have been extolling the virtues of drinking sweet cream sherries in tumblers of ice, rather than at room temperature in schooners, and the port people it seems are taking a similar approach.

Cockburns have long been known for their port – their winter tipples often coming into their own around Christmas. Their 10 Year Old Tawny Port is no exception, but works very well chilled – yes, chilled. It’s also very good at room temperature, so don’t feel hell bent on following a particular serving suggestion. It tastes moreish with hints of raisin and a nutty finish that make it a very good match for a cheese board of course. It looks pretty sleek too in its contemporary bottle, but is surprisingly easy to drink, chilled or not.

Made from hand-picked grapes from the Douro Superior Valley in northern Portugal, this Cockburns port is aged in oak casks. Its full of character for sure, but we’re talking more Daniel Craig than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Stylish on the eye and sophisticated on the tongue, you don’t really need a cheese board for an excuse to drink it.

Available from Sainsbury’s from around £12.99/50cl bottle.