With the onset of winter – and the festive season fast approaching – it must be time to pass the port! But we firmly believe that Port shouldn’t be relegated to only Christmas but celebrated for what it is: one of Europe’s great classic wines. What makes Port so appealing is the diverse range of styles across and with it the endless food matching possibilities.
Not all “Ports” are the same… Each style has its own unique characteristics, production method, ageing potential and colour. The only unifying attribute of all “Ports” are that they are fortified. Contrary to the common held belief, the crafting of a fine “Port” is amongst the most challenging endeavours to undertake – as it requires meticulous dedication to each step of the process from the vineyard, the ferment, fortification, barrel maturation, culminating in blending and the creation of wines that can easily mature for decades.
Port Wine is a fortified wine that results from the interruption of the fermentation process by adding brandy, hence keeping the residual sugar of the grape. Port is produced exclusively in the Wine Region of the Douro, in the North of Portugal and it can be divided into three distinct categories: white, tawny and the newly emerged ruby or rosé port.
WHITE
White Port is made exclusively from white grapes harvested in the Douro Wine Region, and assumes different styles, according to its degree of sweetness – the description of dry, medium-dry or sweet, being the last one called Lágrima. It is a young port wine, kept in wood casks where it ages for at least 3 years. It features a pale hay colour. A lovely, easy to enjoy example is the Quinta do Silval, Magalhães Dry White Port from Douro, Portugal.
TAWNY
Tawny Ports are red wines that age in wooden casks and show different shades depending on their age. Colours may vary between intense red gradually mellowing to a golden-brown colour. With time “in-wood”, Tawnys also increase in aromatic complexity, intensifying the aromas of dried fruits (walnuts and almonds), wood, coffee and chocolate, amongst others. The most common references are Tawnys with Indication of Age and Colheitas. A Tawny Port always represents a blend of several batches, with different lengths of time in casks, and whose age average (10, 20, 30 and 40 years) stated on the label, grants that lot its special and unique characteristics.
Examples include: Baráo de Vilar 10 year old Tawny Port; the everyday Graham’s Six Grapes; a true treat – Warre’s 1994 ‘Library Release’ Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal, 1994 in the traditional Wooden Box; or the more budget friendly admirable Single Quinta Vintage Port from the oldest British Port House – Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port; or another gift idea is the Taylor’s Vintage Port, Quinta de Vargellas – also in a wooden box!
RUBY
Ruby Ports are young wines, fruity, with a deep red colour and intense flavour of red fruits, namely berries. Within Ruby Ports you will find the categories LBV (Late Bottle Vintage) and Vintage, upper-quality wines with unique characteristics. Vintages are wines produced with grapes harvested in a single year and bottled two years after the vintage. It ages in bottle where it can be kept for several decades. LBV is also a wine from a single harvest , but it is only bottled between four and six years after the harvest, and one can leave it to age in bottle or drink it while still young.
Try the Baráo de Vilar, Late Bottled Port Vintage & the simply gorgeous pink port – Quinta do Silval, Magalhães Pink Port.
SOUTH AFRICAN CAPE VINTAGE
Not a “traditional” Port, in that they are not from Portugal but these wines should not be over looked! These Port-style wines are full-bodied and dark wines from a single vintage, which have been matured in oaken casks or tank for at least one year. All Cape Vintage’s must be certified, sold as a vintage wine and may only be sold in glass. An ideal Cape Vintage is an extremely dark, full bodied, aromatic, structured and “drier” in style – these are wines which can confidently be cellared for a decade or more. Best decanted and leisurely enjoyed with flavoursome rustic fare, mature cheeses or sipped leisurely. We are huge lovers of the Muratie, Ben Prins Cape Vintage & The Liberator’s Bishop of Norwich Cape Vintage is also produced from a vineyard planted on Muratie back in 1965!
So back to, why Port for Christmas?
Well, it’s just been one of those things that have evolved over time (much like Port itself!). It’s become a tradition, but there’s so much to love about this wine all year round!
Shop our range here! And if you’re shopping for a gift, don’t forget a treat for you too? 😉 Cheers!
Need a Gift Idea?
Vintage Port has the unrivalled ability to age gracefully over many years, making it the ultimate once in a lifetime gift to mark special occasions such as christenings, weddings and graduations.
The Graham’s Vintage Port Bond is your exclusive opportunity to purchase this year or last year’s vintage in advance – even before the wine is made and released. Find out more…
