Graham’s has launched a ruby Port called Blend Nº12 that has been created for the bar scene and non-traditional Port drinkers. It takes its name from the fact that the high-altitude grapes are hand-picked in the middle of the night to ensure maximum freshness.
Made predominantly with the Touriga Nacional variety, the grapes are then cold fermented to preserve their primary aromas and intensity. Unlike most ruby-style ports, Blend Nº12 was not aged in oak and is bottled young to maximise concentration and flavor.
“We are excited to launch Blend Nº12 as we believe that ruby port is a very versatile category that has not yet been fully explored,” said Vicky Symington, Graham’s brand manager and fifth generation of the Symington family. “Port has an original and interesting profile that lends itself to creativity and experimentation – both at home and in the bar scene.”
“At 19%, port is less alcoholic than many spirits and fits with the lower ABV trend, especially in long serves with tonic or other mixers,” she added. “It has been great to see people explore the Graham’s range after discovering port through the Blend Nº5 White Port, often in a port & tonic. We are confident that Blend Nº12 will also resonate with people who don’t typically drink port – be it as a delicious and approachable straight serve or mixed in a long serve.”
“We have been working with top mixologists to create some exciting drinks with Blend Nº12 and we’re looking forward to seeing people’s reactions,” she concluded.
Both bottles are decorated with hand-drawn images by Portuguese fashion illustrator António Soares. The Blend Nº12 design contains fruits that reflect the wine’s flavors – raspberries, blackberries and strawberries – as well as the gum cistus, a famous Douro flower.
This release follows the launch of Blend Nº5 White Port in 2019 and marks an extension of the Graham’s Port “Blend Series”, which has been designed to challenge assumptions about how port is typically consumed and attract a new audience of port drinkers.
Initially launched in the on-trade, Blend Nº5 has reached establishments which would not typically champion port – with a unique flavour profile and medium dry style lending itself to long serves and cocktails.
For more information, head over to Graham’s official website.
Last month, Graham’s announced it is set to bottle six casks of its ‘revolutionary’ 1974 single harvest tawny Port as part of its Cellar Master’s Trilogy collection. In April 1974, the Carnation Revolution – a military coup in Lisbon – overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime.
