For The Love Of Port

In this thread Roy said:

Roy Hersh wrote:I would not be surprised to see more tranches in the UK, including at BB&R. Of course the best pricing is typically the first tranche and if they sell out early, prices tend to go higher (naturally) in later tranches. Whether that will happen this year or not will be something to keep a keen eye on.

Based on the context I have a general idea of what it means, but what's a tranche?

:?

It's a producers release of a stock of wine. They are free to release wines at multiple intervals. First tranche is the first release of a particular wine. Second, third, ect. follow. As Roy stated, the first tranche is usually at the lowest prices. Wineries, especially in Bordeaux, frequently hold back substantial stocks in the hopes prices will rise for future tranches.