To Port or not to Port?
What is Port Wine?
It is a Portuguese style of fortified (brandy) wine originating from the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and also comes in dry, semi-dry and white varieties. Port wine is a blend of wines of various years. Port wine does not improve with cellaring except for vintage ports that do evolve with bottle aging and develop more complex flavors over time.
The varieties
White: In vats for a minimum of 3 years
Tawny: In casks or pipes for a minimum of 3 years to 40 years
Ruby: In vats for a minimum of 3 years to 6 years
Vintage: In vats for 2 years then bottled
The 2 corks
T-top cork: They do not improve with cellaring and they do not require decanting. Once opened, they should last between 4-8 weeks.
Driven cork: These wines will improve from cellaring and require decanting. Once
opened, they should last between 24-48 hours. The younger ones will last a few days longer.
It is a Portuguese style of fortified (brandy) wine originating from the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and also comes in dry, semi-dry and white varieties. Port wine is a blend of wines of various years. Port wine does not improve with cellaring except for vintage ports that do evolve with bottle aging and develop more complex flavors over time.
The varieties
White: In vats for a minimum of 3 years
Tawny: In casks or pipes for a minimum of 3 years to 40 years
Ruby: In vats for a minimum of 3 years to 6 years
Vintage: In vats for 2 years then bottled
The 2 corksT-top cork: They do not improve with cellaring and they do not require decanting. Once opened, they should last between 4-8 weeks.
Driven cork: These wines will improve from cellaring and require decanting. Once
opened, they should last between 24-48 hours. The younger ones will last a few days longer.Thoughts
The tawny and vintage are my preference. Whether you prefer white or red I believe the port can bring us together! Although they are not the cheapest variety around they are certainly worth the investment with the right people enjoying them with you.
The tawny and vintage are my preference. Whether you prefer white or red I believe the port can bring us together! Although they are not the cheapest variety around they are certainly worth the investment with the right people enjoying them with you.
Slainte!
TCW
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