Port, the fortified wine from the Douro in Portugal, is a wine most commonly enjoyed as a dessert wine. But Port is also great in cocktails. One of the most popular Port cocktails enjoyed in restaurants and bars across Portugal is the Portonic.

 

The Portonic, or Port and Tonic, is a Portuguese twist on a gin and tonic but instead Port is mixed with tonic. The classic White Portonic is made with White Port, which ranges from dry to sweet. One part White Port is mixed with two parts tonic water, ice, and a slice of lemon. Portonics can also be made with Rosé Port and Ruby Port. The result is a refreshing drink perfect to enjoy at the start of a meal.

 

In a recent development, Portonic has joined the RTD category and is available in Port and Douro Wine Institute (IVDP)-approved cans.

 

The popularity of RTDs is clear and is reflected in the numbers.

 

The Portonic brand is owned by the Port and Douro Wine Institute (IVDP) who saw the need to diversify the forms of Port Wine consumption. The goal is to introduce younger drinkers to the Port category while also encouraging all drinkers to enjoy Portonics in informal settings. “This authorisation aims to create new forms of consumption that will make it possible to gain relevance among young people, through new experiences associated with conviviality and life’s good moments”, comments Gilberto Igrejas, President of the Port and Douro Wines Institute.

 

The IVDP is strictly regulating the production of Portonics, as it does the production of Port and the Portonic brand was recently registered at the National Institute of Intellectual Property and at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

 

The new ready-to-drink Portonics can only be produced by registered Port producers, and they have to be packaged either in a Gaia bonded warehouse area or the Douro Demarcated Region. Portonics can be packaged in bottles, cans, or other types of packaging that have been approved by the IVDP. The drink, once ready to be sold, will have to be approved by the IVDP, involving the full range of laboratorial and sensorial analyses. And all labelling on the package must be previously approved by the IVDP and the brand must bear the indication that it is registered (symbol ®).

 

Ready-to-drink at 5.5% ABV, there are several brands of White and Rosé Portonics, already available in the market.