🍷 Sandeman

Sandeman is a Port and Sherry house. According to the house, George Sandeman, a 25-year-old Scot, set up as a wine merchant in London in 1790 with a £300 loan from his father; Wikidata gives the same year. In 1811 he bought lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro from Porto, which still hold more than 2,000 casks. In 1879 the firm acquired bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera.

According to the house, it makes Port, Sherry, Brandy de Jerez and Madeira. Its emblem, the caped figure known as “the Don”, comes from a 1928 poster by George Massiot-Brown. Since 2002 Sandeman has belonged to Sogrape, a Portuguese family-owned wine company.

Port is a wine with a protected designation of origin (PDO) from the Douro Demarcated Region. Grape spirit is added to the fermenting must, so at least 17.5 g/l of sugar remains; the strength is 19–22% vol., and from 16.5% vol. for light dry white Port. Vintage, LBV, Tawny and Ruby are categories set by the rules.

Why it matters to you. Words such as Vintage, LBV or 20 Years Old on a Port label follow the rules, while “the Don” is the house's own emblem. The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol.