Vintage Ports fall into two categories: ‘Declared’ Vintages and Single Quinta Vintages, sometimes also known as ‘Classic’ and ‘Non classic’ Vintages.

‘Declared’ Vintages are the best Vintage years which produce wines of great concentration and longevity. They are usually blended from the best produce of more than one estate. Croft’s declared Vintage Ports, although based on the wines of Quinta da Roêda, sometimes also contain wines from other top estates. Croft is one of the most famous Vintage Port houses and its declared Vintage Ports, such as the legendary 1945 and more recently the award winning Croft 1994 are among the most sought after Ports.

The tradition of ‘laying down’, or putting away, some bottles of Vintage Port for a child when it is born derives from the fact that a declared Vintage from one of the top houses – such as Croft, Fonseca or Taylor – will last for the child’s entire lifetime, reaching maturity when the child is old enough to appreciate it and enjoyable when he or she reaches old age. Very few wines are capable of lasting and continuing to improve for so long. This is why declared Vintage Port is regarded as the ultimate collector’s wine and is also frequently purchased as an investment.