What is Port wine?
What is Port wine?
Port wine is more than a fortified wine, it is a legacy inherited from generation to generation that tells us the story of a region unparalleled in its beauty.
But what really differs from Port wine?
For starters, it's a fortified sweet wine. In the middle of its alcoholic fermentation, Brandy is added with 77% to stop it, maintaining much of the sugar and increasing the alcohol content.
Only indigenous grapes of the region are accepted, among which are Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Sousão.
Next, the port goes through a selection process where the lots formed different wine styles. In the past, after the selection, the wines were sent to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, in the famous "rabelo" boat where they aged for years and years.
Port Tawny or Port Ruby?
The main difference between these styles is in the way they age. Ruby goes through a small stage in French oak barrels and is then bottled to age. On the other hand, Tawny ages in the barrel itself where it acquires quite different characteristics.
While in a Ruby Port, we will find notes of red berries and blackberries, in a Port Tawny there are notes of vanilla, honey, and nuts. The color is also quite different, Ruby range from violet to dark red, and Tawny Port is dark amber.
Ruby port and Tawny port are two of the most popular types of fortified wine, and both are made from grapes grown in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Although both types of port are sweet and full-bodied, there are a few key differences between them.
The most important difference between Ruby port and Tawny port is in the color. Ruby port is dark and has a deep red hue, while Tawny port is lighter in color and has more of an orange-brown hue. This difference in color is due to the different aging processes used to produce each type of port.
Ruby port is aged for shorter periods of time, usually between three and six years. This shorter aging process helps to preserve the deep red color and the fruity, berry flavors of the wine. It is best served chilled, and makes a great dessert wine.
Tawny port, on the other hand, is aged for longer periods of time, usually between 10 and 40 years. During this longer aging process, the wine oxidizes and the color changes from ruby red to the orange-brown hue of tawny. The flavors of the wine also change, with nutty and caramel notes becoming more prominent. Tawny port is best served slightly chilled, and makes a great after-dinner drink.
Overall, Ruby port and Tawny port are both delicious fortified wines, but they have distinct differences in their color, flavor, and ideal serving temperature. The best way to determine which one you prefer is to try them both.Other Port Style wine?
Vintage Port - A ruby but of years considered classics.
White Port - Port wine made from white grapes.
Rosé Port - There are several methods of elaboration. Rosé port is good to make a perfect Port Tonic
Port Single Harvest - Port of Only One Harvest.
How and when should I drink Port wine?
Port wine is perfect to accompany desserts, maybe we can say that it is the king of dessert wines. It is much richer than a Sherry or late harvests, but it can also be consumed as an appetizer, making the famous Port Tonic cocktail.
Pairings with Port wine are endless. Rich cheeses, chocolate, desserts with almonds, and puddings.
Reduce port wine
Many top chefs around the world like to use Port in their recipes, elaborating a reduction to accompany a duck breast results in perfection. But what will be the ideal wine to use in the kitchen?
The answer is quite simple, the higher the Port sugar content, the easier it will be to reduce. Port ruby is more likely to have higher sugar indices so they are the most indicated. To create some acidity, it is common to add to the orange sum reduction. If it is a tawny port the only possibility available for the reduction you can add a little honey.
How much can Port wine age?
As says, the old Portuguese saying "is like port wine, the older the better". But will it always be like this?
The answer is no, these wines have a superior ability to age due to the brandy added during fermentation. But like everything in life, the most common Port can age but are more at risk of losing qualities.
The good news is that Vintage Port and Port Tawny are made exactly to age. There are Port wines with more than 200 years that are still in excellent condition. When you want to buy Port wine, to save, look for these two specific types.
After opening a bottle of Port wine, how long should we drink?
Vintage Port - 24 hours
Tawny Port - 1 month
Ruby Port - 24 hours
How can we pair port wine with food?
Port wine is the king of dessert wine, the complexity of the wood flavors and notes of honey and spicy make it the best option to pair with dense desserts, like pudding or hazelnut pie.
Whatever you choose to pair, it's important to split tawny port, ruby port, and vintage port. Because the difference between them makes great choices for different occasions. For instance, if you have a big special date to celebrate maybe is time to open a vintage port.
Tawny port is better to pair with desserts based on nuts and woody flavors. Ruby port goes well with dark chocolate and red fruits. The better option to decide is to try a port wine taste. Now more about port wine taste.
Port wine trade
Many people buy fine port wines because it allows winning some money in the future. Vintage port production is limited so this type of port wine grows in value with time. There are a few port wine trade platforms in the market but is not a well-known market, and sometimes these vintage ports depend a lot on specialists opinions to grow in value.
The best of drinking port wine
Port is a sweet wine that made history for being a drink for kings and queens. So, it is not the right way to drink it, only drink and taste the amazing piece of art.
White port is a type of fortified white wine that is produced in Portugal. It is made from white wine grapes that are blended with brandy to give it a distinctive flavor. White port is typically sweeter than other white wines and is usually enjoyed as an aperitif or a dessert wine.
White Port
White port is a fortified wine that has a light and refreshing taste that is often described as a combination of peach, honey, apricot, and almond. It has an intense sweetness that is balanced by the brandy, creating a smooth and flavorful beverage.
The production of white port starts with white wine grapes that are carefully blended with brandy. The grapes are then fermented for several weeks before being fortified with brandy. This process gives white port its unique flavor and alcohol content.
White port is typically served chilled as an aperitif or as a dessert wine. It pairs well with light cheeses, fruits, and nuts. It is also popularly used in cocktails, such as the White Port and Tonic.
White port is a unique and flavorful type of fortified white wine that is produced in Portugal. It has a light and refreshing taste that is balanced by the brandy and is often enjoyed as an aperitif or a dessert wine. Whether you're looking to enjoy a relaxing glass of white port or use it to create a unique cocktail, it is sure to be a hit.
Famous Port houses
Quinta de la Rosa
Barros
Ramos Pinto
What is a Late Bottled Vintage Port?
Late Bottled Vintage Port (LBV) is a style of port made from a single vintage of grapes that have been aged in oak barrels for four to six years. LBV is typically sweeter and slightly less alcoholic than vintage port, and it is more ready to drink than traditional vintage port, which requires aging before it can be enjoyed. LBV is a delicious wine for those who want to enjoy port without having to wait for a vintage port to mature.
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