Ruby Reserve

🍷 Reserve Ruby Port: Bold, Fruit-Driven, and Surprisingly Versatile

Reserve Ruby Port is the heart and soul of ruby-style port wine — a category that celebrates rich fruit, depth, and youthful intensity. Made from the finest selections of ruby ports and aged longer than standard Ruby, Reserve Ruby offers a more refined expression while maintaining its signature vibrancy.

If you're curious about what makes Reserve Ruby Port special — from how it’s made to how to drink it, store it, pair it with food, or even use it in cocktails — this page is your complete guide.

🍇 What Is Reserve Ruby Port?

Reserve Ruby is a premium ruby-style port wine that has been aged longer (typically 3 to 5 years) than regular Ruby Port. While standard Ruby Port is bottled young to preserve fresh fruit character, Reserve Ruby undergoes longer barrel aging in large oak vats, giving it a richer texture, deeper complexity, and smoother tannins — all while retaining that bold, ripe berry flavor ruby is known for.

It’s made primarily from traditional Douro grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão. The wine is fortified mid-fermentation, leaving behind natural residual sugars and bringing the alcohol up to around 19–20% ABV.

🍒 Tasting Notes & Style

Expect a vibrant, deep ruby color with aromas of:

• Black cherry

• Plum

• Ripe raspberry

• Dark chocolate

• Spices (like clove or cinnamon)

On the palate, Reserve Ruby is full-bodied, rich, and warming — but never oxidized like a Tawny Port. The finish is intense and juicy, making it ideal for both sipping and pairing.

🧊 How to Store and Serve Reserve Ruby Port

Unlike Vintage Port, Reserve Ruby is filtered and stabilized before bottling, meaning it does not need to be decanted. That makes it ideal for casual or impromptu moments.

• Serving temperature: 16–18°C (slightly cooler than room temp)

• Opened bottle shelf life: 3–4 weeks (store upright, corked, in a cool place)

Looking for more storage tips? Check our full guide:
🔗 How to Store Port Wine Properly

🧀 Food Pairing Ideas

Reserve Ruby Port's bold fruit and richness make it incredibly versatile with food. Here are some classic and unexpected pairings:

Sweet Pairings:

• Dark chocolate desserts

• Cherry cheesecake

• Chocolate-covered strawberries

Savory Pairings:

• Aged cheddar or blue cheese

• Game meats or duck in berry reduction

• Charcuterie boards with jam or fig

For more pairing tips, visit:
🔗 Port Wine and Cheese Combinations

🍸 Reserve Ruby in Cocktails

Thanks to its bold fruit profile, Reserve Ruby Port also shines in port-based cocktails. Its body holds up well against spirits like gin, bourbon, or even coffee liqueur. Some favorites include:

• Port Negroni – Replace sweet vermouth with Reserve Ruby

• The Martawny – A Port twist on the espresso martini using Tawny or Ruby

• Ruby Spritz – Port + tonic + citrus

Explore our recipes:
🔗 Top Port Wine Cocktails

🏷️ When Should You Drink Reserve Ruby?

Reserve Ruby Port is:

• Perfect for after-dinner sipping

• An excellent intro to fortified wines

• Great for festive occasions or winter evenings

• A stylish alternative to dessert wine or even red wine in cold months

Whether you're new to Port or already a fan of aged styles, Reserve Ruby is a delicious, approachable option that delivers rich fruit and smooth texture in every sip — with more depth than standard Ruby, but none of the fuss of Vintage.

Its adaptability — from dessert pairings to bold cocktails — makes it a must-have for any wine enthusiast.

Ready to discover more about Port styles?
🔗 Explore All Port Wine Types