What Exactly Is Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port?

We are often asked what exactly is Fonseca Guimaraens vintage port.  So here is an explanation of a unique style of port wine, which is exceptional value for money, if a little difficult to pronounce!

There are many different types of port that are familiar to us.  From ruby, reserve and crusted, to tawny, colheita (also called Single Harvest), single quinta vintage and classic vintage port.  And then there is Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage.

The Guimaraens family have been involved in port production for generations. David Guimaraens is the current Head winemaker at the Fladgate Partnership, which includes the House of Fonseca, and if we're honest he's a bit of a legend among winemakers.

Fonseca Guimaraens is (technically speaking) a “non-classic vintage” – and crucially not a single quinta (which Fonseca Quinta do Panascal is for example).  

This port wine is sourced from several Quintas in the Pinhao Valley – the same as those used in a Fonseca classic vintage.

The difference between a Fonseca Guimaraens vintage and a Fonseca classic vintage therefore lies in the nature of the vintage year itself (not the vineyard selection).

Typically a Fonseca Guimaraens vintage is declared in a very good year but doesn’t quite have the depth and longevity to be declared a classsic Fonseca

Therefore Fonseca Guimaraens 2013 for example will be earlier drinking and is more supple/approachable when young (and amazing value for money) compared to say Fonseca 2011 (a classic monster).