The Different Port Wines

Port comes from the Douro Valley in Portugal because England and France were at war. If it were not for the war, there would not be any Port at all. The English did not have access to French wines during the war. Their efforts to find a place where they could make wine themselves led to the Douro Valley and the history of Port was begun.

One of the biggest problems was getting the Port from Portugal to England without it getting spoiled. This was solved by adding brandy to the wine before it finished fermenting, making it not only last longer, but also able to adjust to the changes in temperature. Wines that have brandy added are called fortified wines. Port has about 20% alcohol, high when compared to most table wines which have about 13%. It has a smooth, non acidic taste.

Port is a very complex wine with a total of 48 different grapes allowed to be used. However, there are 16 that, 8 each red and white, that are used most often. Port is aged in oak barrels, but the time is determined by just how good the vintage is. It is also added to wines from other years to keep the taste the same from one bottling to another.

Proper storage is important will all wines and with Ports the method depends on the particular type. Standard Ports are easy to identify by the stopper and plastic they are sealed with. Standard ports are meant to be drank as soon as possible and should be stored standing up. Keep them stopped and they will last for months. For instance, a Ruby port can last for about a month and a Tawny for up to 20 months. Vintage Ports have a traditional cork and should be stored lying down. Vintage ports, on the other hand, can loose their flavor rather fast and should be consumed within a day of opening.

There is a White Port variety made from white grapes, aged and then fortified. It can be either sweet or day and in most cases will be a blend from different vintages. It also has a lower alcohol content, about 16%.

Ruby Port is a blend of different red grapes. This is one that is not aged. It will have a berry like taste. When Ruby Port is aged for years in oak, it becomes Tawny Port. Tawny Port has a nutty flavor and is a blend of different vintages. Most Tawny Ports are sweet wines.

Late Bottled Vintage is the one you will most likely find in a restaurant. It is perfect for them because it does not get a sediment on the bottom and will last after it is opened. It has already been aged for about 6 years, so it should not be further aged at home. It can last for about a month after it is opened. The grapes all come from the same vintage and produce a red wine full bodied and less fruity wine.

Vintage Port is the top of the line. All of the grapes come from one year's harvest. It is first aged in the barrel, then in the bottle and should be aged another 10 to 30 years at the home before it gets to be the best it can. Vintage Port will have a strong, grape flavor. Wood Ports are very different. They are like Vintage except that they are fully aged in the barrels.

Crusted Port is one of the most economical. It only matures in the bottle for about 3 years.

Dated Ports are made from grapes from a single year and have to be aged in wood for 7 years. They have a golden color and the oldest with have a greenish tint. Ports with and Indication of Age are like the Dated ones, except for the fact that they are blends of wines from different vintages. Reading their labels can be a bit tricky. The age is not the actual age of the wine, it is the age that it tastes like. For instance, if it says 10 years of age it will have the color, aroma and taste of a wine that has been aged 10 years even though it may not be.

Sources

Port Wine Information

Good Cooking