Alliance Wine has become the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of Royal Oporto, the flagship port brand of Portuguese producer Real Companhia Velha.

The family-owned company was established in 1756 and previously represented by Marta Vine. Its Royal Oporto name originated with English wine merchants, who adopted it in recognition of the company’s royal charter.

Royal Oporto specialises in wood-aged tawny ports, including wines matured in century-old casks. All its ports are produced from grapes grown on the company’s Douro estates.

Alliance Wine says the range’s premium packaging and focus on aged tawnies will help independent merchants encourage customers to trade up.

Sarah Benson MW, buyer for Spain and Portugal at Alliance Wine, says: “Aged tawny is a speciality of Royal Oporto. The wines are estate-grown, patiently blended and matured in century-old casks, and the packaging gives them real presence on shelf and on the back bar.”