summer is here. how do you drink your port?

[Bert VD]

i have noticed at quite a few port tastings they serve the port (and all other wines) from a wine cooler or fridge. for example at Alves De Sousa i asked if they chill all of their wines and they said they always do. recently in Cyprus i tasted whites, reds and sweet wines and there as well all wines were chilled.

so what do you prefer? do you chill your ports and/or other wines? only in summer? all year round? never?
any other comments on port in summer?

[Al B.]

At this time of year my Port lives in the fridge, regardless of whether it is white, tawny, LBV or young Vintage. In the summer I rarely drink old Vintage Port, but if I do it will have been kept in a 12-14C bottle store.

But most of what I am drinking at the moment is 2017 VP from the fridge or white Port mixed with tonic and mint (for me) or lemon peel (for my better half). Kopke Fine White is our preference when we can get it or Cockburn Fine White if we can't.

[Paul C. Metman]

But most of what I am drinking at the moment is 2017 VP from the fridge .....

I wish I could say the same!!

[Eric Menchen]

I haven't had any white Port yet this summer. I'll still drink VP and LBV during the summer, starting at cellar temperature (~55F). I might be slightly more conscientious in my overnight storage of an open bottle in the summer, putting it in the fridge overnight, and then letting it warm up a little before drinking, but not much different from winter. Colheitas will be stored in the fridge before opening, but I don't like to drink colheita or tawny at fridge temperature--during the warmer months maybe a little cooler than the rubies, but not too much.

[Thomas V]

I chill all my ports throughout the year. Nothing changes with the seasons for me.

White ports I serve straight from the fridge 5C
Tawnies I serve straight from the fridge 5C
LBV and VP I serve straight from my wine fridge at 11C (After decant)

The temp raises so quickly in a living room so even though 5C is low you quickly get more aromas, mouth feel and sensation of the wine as time passes.

[Andy Velebil]

I drink it from a glass. If I'm feeling like a rebel, I drink it straight from the bottle.

Seriously though, I almost always put it in the fridge to chill it down to below cellar temp then allow it to warm up in the glass. That goes for all types of Port and plenty of wines too. (disclaimer: I think most white wines are served too cold).