Presented by João Vasconcelos, Sales Director for the Fladgate Partnership and Pedro Martins Araújo, Master Chocolate Maker of Vinte Vinte. Embark on a unique journey of aromas and flavours where one can learn how to taste Port wine and Chocolate, appreciate its quality and understand the production methods involved in crafting these unique products.

For centuries the toast of kings and, nowadays, a regular feature of the annual Muscats du Monde® Top 10 Award List, Moscatel de Setúbal is the jewel in the crown of Portugal’s Península de Setúbal region. Famously floral, Moscatel gains hugely in sensory complexity, richness and intensity with barrel age. In conversation with Filipe Cardoso of Quinta do Piloto, Portuguese wine expert Sarah Ahmed will explore the building blocks of house style and the role of terroir in a comparative tasting of 10-Year-Old Moscatel de Setúbal wines from seven leading producers.

Under the guidance of CEO and 7th generation family member Chris Blandy, together with award-winning winemaker Francisco Albuquerque, the new 10-year-old range has been created using techniques refined over Blandy’s 200-years of heritage combined with detailed knowledge borne of extensive research and a thorough understanding of the region. Each varietal undergoes a meticulously tailored aging process in Blandy’s 16 different ageing rooms located across two distinct sites.

With more exhibitors than 2023, the 2024 Big Fortified Tasting demonstrated again how the popularity of this category of wines continues to grow.

English Vermouth is making a statement at the 2024 edition of the Big Fortified Tasting with seven producers making an appearance on our first ever feature table for this classic cocktail wine.

New at the Big Fortified Tasting 2024 is our partnership with Decanter World Wine Awards, helping showcase a selection of award-winning fortified wines from around the world. DWWA are showing 12 fortified wines that have all been awarded Best In Show, Platinum or Gold medals at the 2023 or 2022 awards. 

We're delighted to be able to confirm the masterclass schedule for 2024, featuring the School of Port, the wines of Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal and a Penfolds Fortified Masterclass. 

Discover the wonders of port and the Douro, brought to you by the port-mad people at Symington Family Estates and Quevedo Wines. An educational initiative for wine professionals and wine lovers.

Portuguese wine expert Sarah Ahmed will explore the influence of terroir, time and innovation on this vinous nectar. What is the impact of sand versus clay/limestone soils on flavour profile? How do skin maceration and ageing times influence the wines. Or ageing in stainless steel, wood or concrete amphora? What happens when you fortify Moscatel de Setúbal with Armagnac or Cognac? And who or what is Trois?

Penfolds will be proudly presenting a selection of its revered Tawnies side by side for the first time in the UK, including the 50 Year Old Rare Tawny, produced in extremely limited quantities and regarded as a true collectors’ item.