Graham’s launches special edition white Port

Graham’s Port has announced it is launching a special edition white Port label in order to “engage with new consumers” as the popularity of ‘Port & Tonic’ grows in the UK.

Named ‘Graham’s Blend N°5 White Port’, the release is in response to the growing popularity of white Port and tonic where sales rose a reported 161% between 2012 and 2017.

The Graham’s white Port is a blend of Malvasia Fina and Moscatel Gallega, the former for its freshness, the latter for its aromatics.

Hand picked and cold fermented in small batches, the wine is medium dry and bottled three months after the harvest.

It is designed to be drunk young.

Production is still very limited (just 6,000 bottles) and for now is only to be available in the UK.

The packaging of the wine (pictured) is also a “departure” from the usual Graham’s style, deliberately so as it is designed to appeal to drinkers who are not normally Port drinkers.

Fashion illustrator António Soares who has previously collaborated with Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel drew the art for the bottle.

Design manager for Symington Family Estates, Alexandra Sousa Ribeiro, said: “Our design concept aimed to transmit the aromatic fresh profile of the wine – white grapes, lime, peaches, honey – while connecting it with mint and lemon, the garnish associated with Port and Tonic. António Soares, who is known for his strong use of colour, was invited to use his artistic interpretation to create the organic elements for the bottle illustration.”

Charlotte Symington, marketing manager at Symington Family Estates, added: “Following the huge success of the Graham’s Aged Tawny Ports in clear glass bottles, we felt it was time create a new take on white port, having seen it grow in reputation over the last few years.

“We wanted Graham’s Blend Nº5 White Port to be immediate and accessible to a younger generation of port drinkers. The presentation is something completely new for the port trade and we’re excited to see how consumers react.”