What foods pair well with Port?

Port pairs best with rich, savory, and sweet foods, including blue cheeses (Stilton), aged cheddar, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate desserts, and caramel-based sweets. Tawny Port complements nuts and caramel, while Ruby Port suits dark chocolate, and White Port shines with salty appetizers.

How long does an opened bottle of Port keep?

Opened bottles of Port generally last between one week and two months, depending on the type and storage. Store opened Port in a cool, dark place (preferably the fridge) and use a stopper, with Tawny lasting longest.

How should Port be served — what temperature and glass?

Port should be served in small, tapered glasses at temperatures ranging from chilled (6°C for White) to slightly below room temperature (12-18°C for Reds/Tawny).

How many Port styles will be tasted during the masterclass and is food included?

Around 6 different Ports will be tasted during the Masterclass and there will be small tapas styled snacks paired with the Ports.

The Port Masterclass

Q: What does the age on a Tawny Port label (10, 20, 30, 40 year) actually mean?

The age on a Tawny Port label represents an average, approved profile of a blended wine, not the minimum age of every component in the bottle. It indicates the style and maturity the wine has achieved through cask ageing.

Q: Does Port need to be decanted?

Vintage Port and Crusted Port need to be decanted to separate the wine from heavy natural sediment and to allow it to breathe. Other styles, such as Aged Tawny, White, and most LBV ports, are filtered and do not require decanting.

A timeless classic that has remained valid and cherished for over 300 years, this Port Masterclass is designed to show you why.

Level

Beginners

Duration

2.5 hours

Location

The Punch Bowl, Mayfair
Duke of Sussex, Waterloo

Tapas-style Wine & Food Matching

Price

From £169 per person

Rated 4.6 out of 5 – based on 82 Google reviews
Read our reviews on Google

Welcome to The Port Masterclass

A masterclass for the particular, join us to learn why Port has been shipped to London for more than 300 years.

We at the London Wine Academy know that despite its Christmas connotations, Port is one of the most famous wine types in the world. A timeless classic that has remained valid and cherished for over 300 years, and this Masterclass is designed to show you why.

The London Wine Academy will help you discover Port’s rich history, astonishing terraced vineyards, and unique production process. You will learn the art of Port tasting and, in a few short hours, be a Port expert, able to identify styles and assess quality like none of your friends can.

Along with these skills and bragging rights, our inspiring instructors will also make sure that you’ll be able to match Port and a variety of foods, ready to wow your next dinner guests with interesting pairings – like Port and chocolate, for instance.

The Port Tasting Masterclass is a 2.5-hour immersive wine experience at The London Wine Academy in central London, priced at £169 per person. Established in 1993 and rated 4.6 on Google, the Academy is one of the UK’s longest-running independent wine schools, having welcomed over 50,000 students. Part of the Voyager Masterclass series — each one designed as a journey into the heart of a wine region — this session is dedicated entirely to Portugal’s iconic fortified wine. You’ll taste a curated selection covering Ruby, Tawny, Late Bottled Vintage and Vintage Port from leading producers, alongside a 4-course tapas menu. You’ll learn about the Douro Valley, production methods, ageing and food pairing. All tutors hold a WSET Diploma, Master of Wine qualification or Master Sommelier certification. Whether you’re already a Port enthusiast or completely new to it, this experience gives you the knowledge and confidence to choose and enjoy Port properly.

What will I learn during the Course?

While the most famous style of port might be the bottle-aged Vintage, the London Wine Academy would be remiss if we didn’t teach you about the more affordable, refreshing white styles, and the Moorish, wood-aged Ports, like Tawny, Crusted, and LBV.

All these diverse styles bring us back to the versatility and range of Port that you probably didn’t know existed – but now, with the London Wine Academy, you have the chance to try all in one place with experts taking you every step of the way.

Favourite styles that are tasted and discussed during the Port Masterclass:

White
Rose
Ruby
Tawny
Crusted
and Aged Tawny

Port Masterclass Agenda

Start times of this wine workshop may vary. Please check your chosen date for the correct start time.

Kindly arrive 5 – 10 minutes before the start of your class to meet and greet the London Wine Academy tutors who will be guiding you along your journey.

Seasonally, the London Wine Academy decides to throw in some extra masterclasses, ones designed to impress you – and subsequently your friends, family, and colleagues – with niche knowledge of wonderful wines. Learning the Systematic Approach to wine tasting will equip you with enough experience to impressively advance through this Port Masterclass, and internalise all the incredible styles and types of Port found in the wine world.

With this Port Masterclass, spend time learning all about the incredible styles of Port, allow our talented tutors time to tour you through production methods and world-famous tots, and enjoy a meal with like-minded Port enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Port wine and where does it come from?

Port wine is a sweet, fortified wine originating exclusively from the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. It is made by adding grape brandy to the wine during fermentation, halting the process to leave high natural sugars and increasing alcohol content to around 20% ABV. It is generally served as a dessert wine.

What is the difference between Ruby, Tawny, and Vintage Port?

Ruby Port is aged briefly in large casks, preserving a deep red colour and fresh dark fruit flavours.

Tawny Port is aged for longer in smaller wooden barrels, where controlled oxidation transforms the colour to amber and develops nutty, caramel, and dried fruit flavours.

Vintage Port is made only in exceptional declared years, bottled young, and designed to age for decades in bottle — it is the most prestigious and complex style.

What is Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port?

Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port is a high-quality, single-year ruby port aged in wood for four to six years before bottling, rather than the two years typical of vintage port. This extended maturation allows it to be ready to drink immediately upon release, offering a fruit-forward profile with soft tannins at a lower price point.

What does the age on a Tawny Port label mean?

The age on a Tawny Port label (10, 20, 30, or 40+ years) represents an
average, approved profile of a blended wine, not the minimum age of every component in the bottle. It indicates the style and maturity, showing that the wine has matured in wooden casks long enough to adopt the characteristic flavors and color of that age.

Is Port only a winter drink?

Port is far more versatile than its Christmas reputation suggests. Aged Tawny and White Port are delicious served slightly chilled in summer. White Port with tonic, ice, and mint (a ‘Portonic’) is a refreshing aperitif. Richer styles like LBV and Vintage suit cooler evenings. The masterclass covers the full range of styles and when to enjoy each one.

What is White Port and how is it different?

White Port is made from white grape varieties rather than red, and can range from dry to very sweet.

Younger styles are crisp and fresh, while wood-aged White Port develops rich, complex honeyed flavours.

Served chilled with tonic water, it makes an excellent aperitif — a very different experience from the richer red styles most people associate with Port.

What is Crusted Port?

Crusted Port is a high-quality, typically blended ruby port that is bottled unfiltered and sealed with a traditional driven cork, allowing it to mature and throw a sediment (or “crust”) in the bottle. It acts as an affordable alternative to vintage port, offering rich fruit flavours, requiring decanting before drinking, and improving with age.

Does Port need to be decanted?

It depends on the style. Vintage and Crusted Ports are unfiltered and develop sediment, so they benefit from decanting. This helps separate the wine from the deposit and allows it to open up. Tawny and most LBV Ports are filtered and can be poured straight from the bottle.

How long does an open bottle of Port keep?

Opened bottles of Port generally last between one week and two months, depending on the type and storage, as their high alcohol and sugar content offers protection against quick degradation. Store opened Port in a cool, dark place (preferably the fridge) and use a stopper, with Tawny lasting longest.

Feature Venue

The Punch Bowl

Famously previously owned by Guy Richie and Madonna, The Punch Bowl is one of Mayfair’s most historic and celebrated pubs.

Feature Venue

The Duke of Sussex

The Duke of Sussex is a reflection of the needs of the local community - the food is simple and harks back to the days when the British Pub first came about.