Ruby Port – Barros

Barros was founded relatively recently, in 1913, by Manoel de Almeida in the Port hub of Vila Nova de Gaia. The grapes for their port come from the vineyards of Quinta de São Luíz in the Douro, before being overseen throughout production by Chief Winemaker Carlos Alves. Considered to be some of the most representative of the Douro region, Barros’ vineyards is today undoubtedly one of the most prestigious companies producing and trading Port Wine all over the world.
Barros produces a huge range of high-quality ports from some of Oporto’s oldest surviving cellars, and much of the prestige they now enjoy as a port producer is due to their Colheitas. Old Tawny ports harvested in a single year and aged in casks for a minimum of seven years, their Colheitas, form the backbone of Barros’ success today. Although seven years ageing in wood is the mandatory minimum, the company keeps ageing their ports in these casks until their release on the market, bottling them to order. While this does result in a much larger ‘Angels Share’, the amount of wine lost to evaporation over time, the end result of intense, outstanding wines makes it a small price to pay.

Ruby Port

Ruby Port is a blend of young wines from multiple vintages. Most producers bulk-age their Ruby Port for two or three years in cement or steel tanks to prevent oxidization, retaining the wine’s fresh, fruity qualities.
It is the most extensively produced and widely available style of port wine, named after its youthful, bright red color.