Port Wine vs Regular Wine

Port wine, ahoy there! This fortified wine is a classic choice for any occasion, but what makes a port wine glass of it different from regular wine? Well, grab your glass, and let's explore the world of port wine.

What is Port Wine?

Port wine is a fortified wine that originates from the Douro Valley in Portugal. The name "port" comes from the city of Porto, where the port wine taste itself was traditionally aged and shipped from. Port wine is made by adding a neutral grape spirit, also known as aguardiente, to partially fermented grape juice. This stops the fermentation process, which leaves the wine with a higher alcohol content and a sweeter taste.

Port wine is made from a variety of grapes, but the most common ones used in port production are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca. The grapes are grown in the steeply terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, where the hot and dry climate creates ideal conditions for producing rich and flavorful grapes.

Types of Port Wine

Port wine comes in different styles, each with its unique taste and characteristics. Let's take a closer look at the most common types and styles of port wine.

Ruby Port

Ruby port is the most basic and affordable type of port wine. It is made by using red grapes and aging the wine in large oak barrels for a short period, which gives it a bright red color and fruity taste. Ruby port is a great choice for those who are new to port wine or looking for an easy-drinking option.

Tawny Port

Tawny port is aged in smaller oak barrels for a longer period than ruby port. This aging process gives it a tawny color and a nutty, caramel-like taste. Tawny port is a popular choice for pairing with desserts, especially nutty or caramel-flavored ones.

White Port

White wine glass of port is made from white grapes and is aged for a shorter period than red port. It has a light and refreshing taste, with notes of citrus and honey. White port is often served chilled as an aperitif, or mixed with tonic water and ice for a refreshing summer drink.

Vintage Port

Vintage port is made from the best grapes of a single vintage year and is only produced in exceptional years. It is aged in oak barrels for two to three years and then bottled unfiltered, where it continues to age for several decades. The vintage port has a deep, complex flavor with notes of berries, chocolate, and spices. It is a top dessert wine, a great choice for special occasions, and can be aged for several decades in the bottle.

Late Bottled Vintage Port (LBV)

Late Bottled Vintage Port is made from grapes of a single vintage year, as vintage ports but is aged in oak barrels for four to six years before bottling. This aging process gives it a smoother and more mature taste than a vintage port. LBV port is a great choice for those who want to experience the depth and complexity of a vintage port, but don't want to wait several decades for it to mature.

How is Port Wine Different from Regular Wine?

Now that we've explored the different types of port wine, let's look at how it differs from regular red wine here.

Fortification

The most significant difference between port wine and regular wine is the fortification process. Port wine is fortified with grape spirit, which stops the fermentation process and leaves the wine with a higher alcohol content and sweeter taste. Regular wine is not fortified, and a regular wine glass has a lower alcohol content and a more varied range of sweetness levels.

Aging

Port wine is aged in oak barrels for a longer period than regular wine, which gives it a unique taste and complexity. The aging process of port wines also contributes to the color of the wine - the ruby port is aged for a shorter period and has a bright red color, while the tawny port is aged for a longer period and has a tawny color. Regular wine is aged for a shorter period and is often bottled after just a few months of aging.

Sweetness

Port wine is known for its sweet taste, which comes from the fortification process and the aging of sweet wine in oak barrels. Even the driest port wine is still sweeter than most regular wines. Regular wine can range from bone dry to very sweet, depending on the grape variety and the winemaking process.

Serving Temperature

Port wine is traditionally served at room temperature or slightly chilled, while regular wine is served at a cooler temperature. This is because the flavors and aromas of port wine are more pronounced at a slightly warmer temperature, while regular wine is best enjoyed when it is slightly cooler.

Pairing

Port wine is often paired with desserts or strong cheeses, while regular wine can be paired with a wider range of foods. The sweet and complex flavors of port wine complement desserts with nutty or caramel flavors, as well as blue cheese such as strong blue cheeses. Regular wine can be paired with anything from seafood to steak, depending on the grape variety and the winemaking process.

Port wine is a unique and flavorful fortified wine that has been enjoyed for centuries. Its distinctive taste and aging process set it apart from regular wine, making it a great choice for special occasions or a casual night in. Whether you prefer the fruity taste of ruby port, the nutty taste of tawny port, or the complex flavor of vintage port, there is a whole style of port or wine for everyone. So next time you're looking for a sweet and satisfying wine, raise a glass of port and cheers to the Douro Valley!