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Porto, Portugal Travel Guide
All The Different Kind Of
Wines From Portugal by Burl Grant
Port Wines Come From Portugal
The Douro River Valley which
is located in the northern part of Portugal is where the mixture of grapes
is grown to produce port wine. The wine was made for shipping reasons and
to some people's surprise reached beyond Europe and into the United States,
Asia, Australian and several other places.
Port wine for the beginner,
is traditionally served as a dessert wine, it is known for the sipping
wine at home get-togethers and after work outings. Port wine is different
from other types of wine because it has an higher than average alcohol
content; the majority range between 19% and 22% by volume. The ingredients
and flavors added to the wine can make it a very sweet wine. The price
points very depending on the different styles of port wine you like.
Tawny Port Wines
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Tawny Ports
are lighter in color, older, and distinctly drier than Rubies. Tawny Ports,
which is very similar to Rubies, have been know not to improve with added
bottle age and are remarkably stable once opened. The difference between
a Vintage Port from one producer and another is merely the difference in
"house style," in the same way that the style of a Brut Champagne varies
from one house and another. Tawny Ports are often served after dinner,
either alone or with desserts that are quite sweet like chocolates. Tawny
Reserve port has been known to age for a minimum of seven years in wooden
barrels, this is where it takes on a more nutty flavor. The older the Tawny
becomes, it takes on more of a pale color, which adds to more of a delicate
flavor and creates a drier wine which makes the wine more expensive for
the bottle. Where rainfall tends to be about 28 inches a year, which is
very low for most counties, is where most of the high quality Tawny, LBV
and Vintage ports are made.
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Do You Like Chocolate with
Your Wine
The years of association in
various capacities that I have with wine, I've heard numerous debates on
the issue, both for and against the rather contentious chocolate and wine
pairing. Spending several years in a bottle helps the vintage port take
on the aromas of chocolate, cocoa and coffee. Traditionally, Port is served
with a strong blue cheese such as Stilton, or fruit and chocolate.
Ports around the world are
produced in a similar style like Champagne, but are considered fake Ports.
While these pretenders may be somewhat aromatic and flavorful, they fail
to capture the delicate balance between elegance and power of a true Port
wine. Remember that port wine is very flavorsome on its own and can be
enjoyed for several different occasions. |
The best vintage port wines
will not reach their peak of maturity for 20, 30 and sometimes even 40
years. Vintage Ports, which account for only two percent of all Port wines
made. These wines age briefly in wood and then spend several years maturing
in a bottle. While aging in wood, port wine's fruity scent develops through
oxidation to make a bouquet that is reminiscent of dried fruit, wood, and
special spices. |
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