long the Douro river, it's a matter of course. In Norway, it's almost unknown. White port wine on ice with tonic is perhaps the best aperitif of summer – and it's time we discovered it.

It's one of those things that always strikes me when I visit Portugal in the summer: on every single terrace, by every single riverbank along the Douro, people sit with a large glass full of ice, white port wine and tonic. A slice of orange. Maybe a little mint. And a smile that says life doesn't need to be any more complicated than this.

Back home in Norway? Almost no one has heard of it.

It's time to do something about that.

Port wine is not just the dark bottle for dessert

Most Norwegians think of port wine as the thick, sweet, dark red wine that comes out after Christmas dinner – often dusted off and served in a tiny little glass. And yes, the powerful, red LBV or vintage port wine is a wonderful thing in its proper element.

But port wine comes in many varieties. Tawny is the nutty, caramel-coloured style that many discover alongside coffee. Ruby is fruity and young. And then there is white port wine – porto branco – which is the style the Portuguese themselves drink the most of during the warm months.

White port wine is made from white grapes from the Douro Valley in north-eastern Portugal. The most common are Malvasia Fina, Gouveio and Rabigato – names that may not mean much to you, but which produce a wine with a fresh, lightly floral character and a fine acidity that makes it unusually versatile.

A large glass of white port tonic with ice, an orange slice and mint on a sunny Portuguese terrace by the Douro river

The style varies a little: some white port wines are dry and almost crispy, others are off-dry and have a delicate sweetness reminiscent of ripe peaches and honey. Common to both is that they are much lighter and fresher than their red counterparts – and that they are made to be drunk cold.

What exactly is a Porto Tonic?

The recipe is almost embarrassingly simple – but it works.

You take a large glass, fill it with plenty of ice, pour in 4–5 cl of white port wine, top with good tonic and garnish with a slice of orange or lemon. Maybe a little fresh mint if you're in the mood.

The result is a drink that is lower in alcohol than a gin & tonic, lighter than an Aperol Spritz, and with a complexity that beats most things hands down. The sweet, fruity character of the port wine meets the bitterness of the tonic – and suddenly you're sitting with something that tastes like a sunset along the Douro. A little nostalgic, a little exotic, and very easy to drink.

It's exactly the kind of drink that is perfect for a Norwegian summer evening: long, cold and simple enough that you can make it while the grill is warming up.

Close-up of white port wine being poured over ice in a large glass, with a tonic bottle and orange slice alongside

Find the right bottle

On the shelf there are fortunately some good options. I would particularly highlight Vista Alegre 10 YO White Porto – a fine example of white port wine with a little extra aging. Ten years in barrel gives it a warm, nutty undertone that makes it more interesting than the youngest versions, while still retaining a freshness that makes it perfect with ice and tonic.

Think dried apricot, a little vanilla and a hint of toasted almonds – all wrapped up in something that tastes far more sophisticated than the price tag would suggest. The off-dry style means it balances nicely against the bitterness of a good tonic without becoming cloyingly sweet.

If you're curious about the breadth of the port wine category, there is also a Graham's Selection pack with five 20cl bottles that lets you explore different port wine styles side by side. Handy if you want to compare white port wine with tawny or ruby and understand what sets them apart.

White port wine vs. red port wine – what's actually the difference?

To put it in context:

White port wine is made from white grape varieties such as Malvasia Fina and Gouveio. The character is fresh, fruity and floral – and it is meant to be drunk cold as an aperitif.

Ruby port wine is made from red grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional and is powerful, dark and berry-rich. It is best served at room temperature with dessert.

Tawny port wine is also made from red grape varieties, but is oxidised over time and develops a nutty, caramel-filled character. It is lovely lightly chilled with cheese or dessert.

White port wine is thus clearly the most summery and aperitif-friendly of the three. It is meant to invite the evening to begin – not to bring it to a close.

The perfect aperitif style for a Norwegian summer

There is something I appreciate about porto tonic: it doesn't demand much of you. You don't need a fancy cocktail shaker, not ten different syrups, not a bartender's training. You need a large glass, plenty of ice, a good bottle and some good tonic.

And in a Norwegian summer – where the evenings are long and light, where the grill is lit and everyone sits outside longer than they should – that is exactly the kind of drink we need. Simple, elegant, and with enough character that it doesn't just taste like nothing.

The aperitif culture in Norway has taken off in recent years. We have embraced spritz, we have learned to appreciate sherry, we have discovered vermouth. White port wine is the next natural step – and I will almost guarantee that everyone who tries an ice-cold Porto Tonic on a warm summer evening will wonder why they didn't discover this long ago.