🍷 Noval Fine Ruby Port

Noval Fine Ruby Port is a Ruby Port from the house Quinta do Noval from the Douro Valley.

According to the house, the main grape varieties are Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Barroca; it is a blend of wines with an average age of 3 years; the wine matures in large wooden casks; it is best served at 10–14 °C.

Quinta do Noval is a Port estate in the Douro Valley whose name, according to the house, first appeared in land registers in 1715; known for its Nacional Vintage Port and part of AXA Millésimes.

Port (Porto) is a protected designation of origin of the Douro Demarcated Region in northern Portugal; the name has been in the EU register since 24 December 1991. Fermentation is stopped by adding grape spirit of 77 % vol approved by the IVDP, so the wine keeps natural sugar: Port has 19–22 % alcohol (light dry white from 16.5 %) and at least 17.5 g/l of sugar. The region is divided into Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior, with vineyards on steep terraced slopes.

According to the IVDP, Port comes as Ruby, Tawny, White and Rosé, with special categories — Reserve, LBV, Vintage, Colheita, wines with an age indication (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 80 years) and Crusted. Every lot is checked by the IVDP tasting chamber.

Under EU rules, a wine label must show the designation of origin, the actual alcoholic strength, allergens such as sulphites, and the name of the bottler. The word Porto on the label guarantees that the wine was made in the Douro Demarcated Region under the designation’s rules.

Why it matters to you. The category on the label (Ruby, Tawny, LBV, Vintage and so on) tells you how the wine was aged, not how strong it is. The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol.