Looking for a sweet wine with an amazing taste and high alcohol by volume percentage( ABV%)? Well, Port wines are the way to go!
We all know, I am a wine fanatic and love, just about, all things wine. My family, on the other hand, doesn’t quite have that unaltered love for wine. However, one wine that gets us all excited is a nice bottle of Port wine. Port wine is a type of fortified wine produced exclusively in Portugal. Fortified wines are wines that have an additional spirit, like Brandy, introduced to the wine during production. This fortification process does two things:
- Wine fermentation is halted once the spirit is introduced, therefore less sugar is converted to alcohol. This creates a wine with high residual sugar, i.e a sweet wine.
- The addition of brandy creates a wine with a rather high alcohol content, anywhere from 19-20%, as well as extended shelf life.
After brandy is introduced, the fortified wine is barreled then bottled for a range of a few days to 40 years prior to hitting the shelves of local consumers. The length of time that the Port is matured, as well as the grapes used, is a key indicator of the various types of Port wine.
Styles of Port Wine
White Ports – Made with white wine grapes. Available in dry to sweet styles.
Tawny ports – Barrel-aged port wine with noticeable oaky characteristics
Ruby port – Most popular port wine. Affordably priced and easy to drink due to its typically steel tank aging.
Rose port- Made with red wine grapes. Its limited exposure to the red grape skins gives this wine a pinkish hue.
Vintage, as well as late bottle vintage, are produced from grapes from a single vintage. These wines are bottle matured after a few years in a barrel. This is a high-quality and expensive wine.
How to Serve Port Wine?
Like most reds, room temperature, or, for some aged ports, slightly chilled is the way to go. Port wine is best enjoyed in a dessert wine glass or a wine glass specifically for Port wine. Due to this wine’s high alcohol content, smaller portions are recommended therefore, the use of a smaller glass is encouraged.
Port Wine Flavors and Aromas
Taste: Expect dark fruits like blackberry, cherry, and raspberry, as well as flavors such as chocolate, caramel, and sometimes cinnamon. Port wine tends to be a fan favorite of sweet wine lovers because this wine’s fruit-forward flavor makes it extremely easy to drink.
Aromas: Wood, plum, and various spices
Port Wine Food Pairings
This dessert wine pairs wonderfully with chocolate cakes, dark fruit desserts, pecan pies, and cheeses made from hard sheep’s milk or blue cheese. Pickles, olives, and nuts such as walnuts or pecans. Port wine can also be used in reduction sauces for dishes like my Herb Roasted Pork Loin or paired with BBQ meats.
Port wine is a popular dessert wine that can be found at most places where wine is sold. Try a glass today and find out what all the fuss is about. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
What other wines would you like for me to add to my beginners guide? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!
