Douro DOC (circle region) photo from Wikimedia Commons
Port is the most famous wine from Portugal. It’s a sweet, rich, and delicious fortified wine that is meant to be sipped and savored. We like port because it goes well with a lot of desserts making it a nice fit for this time of year. In fact, drinking port at Christmas is a tradition in England which has spread to other parts of the world.
In this episode we discuss:
- The history of Port
- The Douro Region
- How Port is made
- Styles of Port
- Flavor characteristics
- Food pairings
Check out the Port Fraud Gallery from the IVDP’s website
Beautiful vineyard right on the Douro River (photo provided by Esporão)
Wine Recommendations:
Our Port recommendations from left to right: Quinta dos Murças 10 Year Tawny Port, Kopke 10 years old tawny, Kopke Fine Ruby, and Dow’s Fine Ruby Port
Kopke 10 years old tawny – priced around $32. Kopke is the oldest Port House still in existence today, founded in 1638. This port has flavors of Fig, orange rind, hazelnut.
Quinta dos Murças 10 Year Tawny Port – priced around $32. We received this as a free sample. This wine was more nutty on the nose and taste was more fruity to start, with nutty flavors coming in mid-palate. We tasted flavors of candied orange-rind, praline pecan, vanilla, and fig.
Dow’s Fine Ruby Port– priced around $13. This port is a good option if you are looking for a fruity port that isn’t heavy. It’s lighter on the tongue with a burst of raspberry flavors.
Kopke Fine Ruby – priced around $16. This is a blend of wines with minimum of 3 years aging in Stainless steel or wood. Flavors of red fruits and plum, hint of cocoa.
Sources:
- Websites: Wine Folly, Wikipedia
- Books: From Bacchus to Bordeaux and Beyond The History of Wine in 100 Bottles (Hardback) – Common
, The Oxford Companion to Wine (Oxford Companions)
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What’s your favorite Port? Leave a comment below and let us know!