What Measure is Port Served In?

Port Serving Measures and Guidelines

Port, a fortified wine from Portugal’s Douro Valley, is enjoyed for its rich flavors and aromas. Understanding the appropriate serving measures and guidelines enhances the tasting experience and ensures compliance with industry standards.

Serving Measures for Port

Spirits

• The Weights and Measures Act 1985 regulates the sale of spirits in the United Kingdom.
• Four spirits are subject to these regulations: gin, rum, vodka, and whisky.
• These spirits must be sold in measures of 25ml, 35ml, or multiples thereof.
• Bars can use optics, thimbles, or jiggers to measure spirits, as long as they carry a government stamp indicating their legal volume.
• Cocktails with three or more spirits are exempt from these legal requirements.

Draught Beer, Lager, and Cider

• Draught beer, lager, and cider must be sold in measures of ⅓ pint, ½ pint, ⅔ pint, or multiples of half a pint.
• The ⅓ measure is popular for offering tasters or samples.
• Glasses should be filled to the brim and stamped with the government crown symbol and the legal measurement.
• The head on the beer can be counted towards the total volume, but it should not exceed 5%.
• Top-ups should be honored upon customer request.
• For drinks topped with lemonade or similar, charge the customer for the requested measure of the draught product.
• When mixing two draught products, such as in a snakebite, charge half the price of each product.

Wines & Fortified Wines

• Wine should be served in measures of 125ml, 175ml, 250ml, or by the 750ml bottle.
• Jiggers, thimbles, or lined and government-stamped glassware can be used for measuring.
• Servings under 75ml are exempt from specified quantities to allow for samples and tasters.
• Fortified wines, including port, sherry, ginger wine, and vermouth, are served in single measures of 50ml.
• Sparkling wine and yellow wine have no specified quantities.

Packaged Products

• Packaged alcohol does not have volume restrictions, but the drinks menu must clearly state the volume.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Penalties for serving incorrect drinks measures vary depending on the number and severity of offenses.
• The maximum penalty for not notifying customers of measures used is £2,000.
• Failing to use the correct measure can lead to fines as high as £5,000.
• Fines can also be imposed for the quality of products, such as watering down drinks or having open-topped dispensers that cause alcohol evaporation.

Conclusion

Understanding and adhering to the appropriate serving measures and guidelines for port ensures compliance with industry standards and enhances the overall tasting experience. Responsible and accurate serving practices contribute to the enjoyment and appreciation of this classic fortified wine.

References

• Pro Tips for Serving Port
• How to Serve Port
• Guide to weights and measures for bars, pubs and restaurants

FAQs

What are the legal serving measures for spirits in the UK?

Spirits such as gin, rum, vodka, and whisky must be sold in measures of 25ml, 35ml, or multiples thereof.

How should draught beer, lager, and cider be served?

Draught beer, lager, and cider must be sold in measures of ⅓ pint, ½ pint, ⅔ pint, or multiples of half a pint. Glasses should be filled to the brim and stamped with the government crown symbol and the legal measurement.

What are the serving measures for wine and fortified wines?

Wine should be served in measures of 125ml, 175ml, 250ml, or by the 750ml bottle. Fortified wines, including port, sherry, ginger wine, and vermouth, are served in single measures of 50ml.

Are there any volume restrictions for packaged alcohol?

Packaged alcohol does not have volume restrictions, but the drinks menu must clearly state the volume.

What are the penalties for serving incorrect drinks measures?

Penalties for serving incorrect drinks measures vary depending on the number and severity of offenses. The maximum penalty for not notifying customers of measures used is £2,000. Failing to use the correct measure can lead to fines as high as £5,000. Fines can also be imposed for the quality of products, such as watering down drinks or having open-topped dispensers that cause alcohol evaporation.

How can I ensure accurate and responsible serving practices for port?

To ensure accurate and responsible serving practices for port, it is important to use the appropriate measuring tools, such as jiggers, thimbles, or government-stamped glassware. Additionally, it is essential to be aware of and adhere to the legal serving measures and guidelines for spirits, draught beer, lager, cider, wine, and fortified wines.