More than 15 native white grapes and traditional lagar work give this far more provenance than a generic sweet aperitif.

The van Zeller family's connection to Douro wine dates to 1620, with Van Zellers & Co formally founded in 1780. Cristiano van Zeller and Joana Pinhão continue that heritage through hand-crafted field blends, traditional lagares and careful maturation in very old Port casks.

In the glass
Creamy and gently sweet, with indigenous white-grape fruit and a peppery complexity from old wood.

How it is made
Foot crushed; cool pre-fermentation maceration with part of the grape spirit; fortified in lagar and aged for at least two years in century-old Port casks and small stainless-steel vats.

Enjoy it with
Serve chilled as an aperitif, in a white-Port-and-tonic, or with salted almonds and light pâté.

Independent recognition
96 points James Suckling (current producer listing)

At a glance

• Producer: Van Zellers & Co
• Winemaker: Cristiano van Zeller and Joana Pinhão
• Grape(s): Field blend of more than 15 traditional Douro white varieties
• Region: Douro; Cima Corgo; mainly Murça; DOC Porto; Portugal
• Vintage / release: NV
• ABV: 20%
• Style: Creamy, delicately sweet traditional White Port