What is Port Wine!?
Port is wine that has been fortified with aguardente (sometimes referred to simply as “brandy”) during fermentation. The addition of high-alcohol brandy stops the fermentation process in its tracks, leaving a sweet wine that packs some power.
Port is a sweet wine with flavors of raspberry, blackberry, caramel, cinnamon and chocolate sauce. There are several different kinds of port, but two primary styles:
- A red Port with more berry and chocolate flavors (and slightly less sweetness)
- A tawny-colored Port with more caramel and nut flavors (and more sweetness).
Port must come from a specific region in Portugal, from grapes grown in steep, terraced vineyards along the Douro River. However, the word “port” is not a condensed version of “Portugal” but a reference to the port town Oporto, from where the wines are exported.
Tawny Port
Tawny is aged in wooden casks and released ready to drink. The best tawny ports are labeled with some indication of their age – 10, 20, 30 years old and so on. This is an average age because they are blends of different vintages.
Serve tawny port with chocolate, caramel, dried fruit, nuts (like walnuts and almonds), and aged Cheddar cheese.
“The non-vintage Otima 10-Year Old Tawny Port reveals a medium ruby/amber/garnet color, loads of kirsch and cedar intermixed with a touch of brown sugar in the nose, rich, full-bodied flavors, a burgeoning complexity and big aromatics. This is a full-bodied, silky smooth Tawny Port that should age easily for 8-10+ years.”
Pair with spiced cookies, gingerbread, almond cakes, or orange-scented desserts.
Italian Pear Almond Cake
Caramel Pecan Tart
“This is a smooth and richly ripe wine. It has a dry character that brings out the wood aging and the dried fruit flavors that are well in balance. There is a tang of spirit that gives a lift to the wine. Acidity and a dry aftertaste complete an impressive tawny.”
Delicious paired with a creamy dessert such as cheesecake or creme brûlée.
Salted Caramel Pot de Creme
Bananas Foster Creme Brûlée
Ruby Port
Typically the least expensive type of port. Ruby ports are blends of wine from different vintages. Rubies are usually sold after spending two or three years in large wooden casks. They are not intended to be cellared. Rubies have warm, berry flavors and deep ruby color.
“A rich and ripe style, with well-crafted flavors, of dark plum, raspberry and chocolate that offer good grip. The supple finish has smoky hints. Drink now through 2020.”
Warre's Ruby Port: Enjoy with red cherries, chocolate desserts and fresh berry desserts.
Simpe Cherry Pastry Pies
Easy Chocolate Mousse
Vintage Port
In years when the quality of grapes and the conditions in the vineyards are exceptional, grapes are set aside to make single-vintage port. Vintage port is a relative rarity, since few years are exceptional enough to be declared vintage worthy. Vintage port is labeled with a particular year, unlike most ports which are blends of various vintages. Vintage ports are big wines, with black-fruit flavors and powerful tannins when young.
“[The 2011 Vintage] Offers seamless flavors of kirsch, chocolate, dark plum and allspice, fresh and elegant, with a towering structure and intense red berry accents. Unctuous and long on the finish, showing loads of grip. Best from 2030 through 2060.”
“[The 2007 Vintage] I love the nose on this, with blackberry, black licorice, and dark chocolate. Full- bodied, medium sweet and very, very dense. What seductive mouthfeel, with polished, round tannins that caress the palate. This may be better than the fantastic 1994.”
Pair with something equally intense, like a rich, dark-chocolate dessert.
Salted Dark Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Ganache
Salted Caramel Chocolate Profiteroles