Taylor Fladgate pioneered dry white aperitif port in 1934 and Chip Dry has built a devoted following throughout the world. Made from selected dry white ports produced from grapes grown in the Douro Superior (the eastern area of the Douro Valley). Although several white grape varieties are used, the Malvasia Fina grape predominates. Chip Dry is produced using the traditional port wine vinification method, brandy being added to the must to halt fermentation and to preserve some of the grape’s natural sugar in the finished wine. In the case of Chip Dry, the brandy is added later, when much of the sugar has been converted into alcohol, producing a port of unusual dryness. The individual wines are matured separately in oak vats for between four and five years and are then blended together shortly before bottling to give balance and character.