Offley Ruby
Offley Porto Ruby has an attractive and well defined red-ruby hue and lively aroma reminiscent of red fruit with some more complex notes arising from its ageing in oak wood. In the mouth, it has a fine balance between sweetness and mature tannins, it is well structured and it has a long finish. Its elegance and liveliness make it the ideal option for those who enjoy young and accessible Porto Wines.
Primarily Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amaerla, and Tinta Cao. This wine is a blend of these and other red vine varieties that flourish in the Douro.
Offley Porto Ruby is produced by the traditional Porto Wine method. The hand-picked grapes undergo stalk-removal and crushing before fermentation, under controlled temperature, with skin maceration so as to extract the best components. The addition of wine alcohol at the ideal moment sets the balance between the wine ́s body and bouquet. This moment is chosen by the winemaker following strict control of fermentation temperatures and densities, the later depending on the vine variety, maturation stage and the final sweetness required. After the harvest, the wines remain in the Douro until the following Spring, when they are taken to V.N.Gaia and enter Offley ́s centuries-old lodges for ageing in oak wood casks, as required by Porto Wine traditional ageing system. Throughout the years the wines are carefully tasted and analysed by the oenology team who also makes all necessary corrections and prepares the final blend so as to keep Offley Porto Ruby ́s style and character. The wines selected are usually between 2 and 5 years of age, which makes it possible to obtain a fresh and young wine with an average age of 3 years. The final blend is filtered and cold-stabilised prior to bottling.
Offley Porto Ruby is a versatile wine that goes very well with cheese and assorted desserts, including fresh-fruit tarts. Served on its own, chilled or with ice, it is also a surprising option as an aperitif or evening drink.
Founded in London in 1737 by William Offley, initially as wine merchants, Offley was soon exporting wines and later began to produce Porto Wine. A decisive moment in its development was the arrival of Joseph James Forrester as partner in the company - a charismatic man who would later earn the title Baron of Forrester, granted him by the King of Portugal in 1855. He played a key role in expanding Offley and the Porto Wine industry in the Nineteenth Century.