While vintage port is most associated with Portugal, the winemakers of South Africa are doing their bit to bring the drink to the next generation.

In the South African Wine Magazine, Jeanri-Tine van Zyl said she was pleased when Boplaas owner and cellarmaster Carel Nel invited her to a vertical tasting of his vintage ports dating back to 1986.

The 2001 Vintage Reserve, which was described by Peter Symington of Graham's as the "best of the Ports he's tasted in the New World, including Australia and California", similarly won praise from Ms van Zyl, with concentrated flavours and a "voluptuous" body.

Meanwhile, the Bolaas Cape Tawny 1997 was the pick of the trip, with "royal nutty aromas, hints of raisins and dried figs".

In other port news, a bottle of 1966 Quinta do Noval was recently auctioned in Washington to raise money to improve access to education in Mexico, the Sequim Gazette reports.