Burmester

Burmester is a historic Port house, whose origins date back to 1730 in London when Henry Burmester (from north Germany) and John Nash founded Burmester and Nash as a cereal trading company. The business moved to Vila Nova de Gaia and began shipping wine to British and European markets in 1750.

At the end of the 18th Century, it was re-formed by Henry Burmester Jr. and his sons Fredrick and Edward as H. Burmester & Sons. Napoleon's invasion of Portugal forced Frederick – a prominent banker in London – to abandon his interests in the country. Since he had no heirs, a German branch of the family was invited to take charge from the 1830s. With further name changes the house continued to be run by the Burmester and Gilbert families until the end of the millennium – Gilberts was introduced as a subsidiary brand. In 1999 Burmester was purchased by cork producers Amorim, who sold the brand on to the Sogevinus group (owners of Cálem, Barros and others), but kept the only vineyard, Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

The standard range features Ruby, Tawny, White and Extra Dry White styles. Sotto Voce and Jockey Club are Reserve Ruby Ports with around five and seven years' aging respectively. Aged Tawnies are released at 10, 20 and 40 years. A Colheita (vintage Tawny) is released after at least seven years aging. The Burmester Late Bottled Vintage is made in a traditional, rustic unfiltered style. The Vintage Port is vinified using traditional foot treading in stone lagares and bottled in Vila Nova de Gaia.