The wine was fermented to around 6.5º baume. Brandy spirit was added to the sweet wine and fermentation stopped. The wine received lengthy maturation in large old oak barrels. This process does not give the wine oak characters but gives the wine mellowness and classic rancio characters that are the hallmark ofgreat fortified wines.

Novice port drinkers can do no better than to begin here: First Estate is a softand glorious mouthful. It is an outstanding vintage character blend, made at thefirst property purchased by the company, Lugar das Lages, in 1744. Rich, fruity elegant, it is aged for four years in cask and is ready for drinking immediatelyAs enjoyable before a meal as after.

After fermentation Ruby Ports are stored in tanks made of concrete or stainless steel to prevent oxidative aging, and preserve thier rich claret color.