At a glance

Producer

Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges, S.A.

Region

Portugal

Grape variety

Field blend (predominantly local Portuguese grapes)

Wine type

Dessert

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Sweet

Typical price

€7-€15

Tasting profile

Sweet, rich, nutty, dried fruit notes (raisin, fig), caramel, honeyed character, oxidative complexity.

Evolution: Gains nutty, toffee, dried fruit and oxidative notes over decades.

At peak: 15-25 years—complex, harmonious integration of sweetness and maturity.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-High (preserved for balance with sweetness)

Tannins

Low (fortified sweet wine style)

Alcohol

17-19% ABV

Aging potential

Very good; decades if properly stored (modern vintages)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2029

Optimal window

2026 to 2031

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Nonviable due to the age (vintage 0 is hypothetical). Modern bottlings are best enjoyed within 20-40 years.

Like many Portuguese Vinho Abafados, Vice Rei is made in a style intended for longevity, using fortification to preserve sugars and flavors. Its high sugar and alcohol content allow it to age gracefully for decades, though not for millennia.

Food pairing

Best with strong cheeses (blue, aged cheddar), walnut torte, almond desserts, or as a digestif.

Serving

Serving temperature

12-15°C / 54-59°F

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 4/10

Traditional Portuguese farming; some mechanical harvesting; energy from mixed sources; typical glass packaging. No stated initiatives for water conservation or reduced inputs.

As a legacy commercial producer, Borges utilizes conventional farming and vinification practices. No formal sustainability certifications nor publicized progressive practices. Fortified wines generate environmental impact primarily in grape growing and glass bottling. While the production scale is moderate and mostly local, lack of certification, renewable energy use, or packaging innovation results in subaverage sustainability.