The port wine

As one of the most famous wine regions in Portugal, Porto is a well-known destination for wine lovers. The city is home to the famous port wine, which has been produced for centuries. Port is a sweet, fortified wine usually made from a blend of grapes and aged in oak barrels before being bottled. The region around Porto offers ideal conditions for growing the grapes from which this special wine is made.
 

History of Port Wine

The history of port dates back to the 17th century, when British traders began exporting wine from the region to England. However, back then the wine was not as well known as it is today. It was not until the second half of the 18th century that port wine began its triumphant advance in Europe. Today he is known and appreciated all over the world.

 

Production of port wine

Port wine is made from a blend of grapes grown in the Porto region. The grapes are picked by hand and then processed in traditional wineries called quintas. There they are first destemmed and then crushed in special lagares, large, flat granite basins. The juice is then piped into large tanks and brandy is added. The brandy stops the wine from fermenting and increases the alcohol content. The wine is then stored in oak barrels where it ages for years. During this time the wine develops its typical taste and color.

 

The 5 types of port wine

In general, port wine is divided into 5 categories. The most important ones are here:

• Ruby Port – The rejuvenating classic.
• Rosé Port – florality anchored in a long drink.
• White Port – The subtle culinary experience.
• Tawny Port – Refined with age.
• Vintage Port – The crown of port wines.

 

 

Ruby Port – The multi-faceted classic from Portugal

As a lover of fortified wines, you can't ignore the classic Ruby Port, also known as "Vinhos do Porto" in its Portuguese homeland. Ruby Port is an excellent gateway to the world of port wine, especially for beginners. With a purchase price that often starts at around €10, it offers excellent value for money and embodies all the characteristic features that characterize an authentic port wine.

What immediately catches the eye is the bright ruby ​​red color that gives Ruby Port its name. It is ideal as a companion to a hearty cheese platter or sweet dessert creations. But even served pure, at room temperature, Ruby Port promises an irresistible taste experience.

Particularly noteworthy are the Messias Port Ruby with its decidedly fruity profile and the Niepoort Ruby, which impresses with its full-bodiedness. From the first sniff you are greeted by a floral bouquet that makes you look forward to your first sip. In terms of taste, Ruby Ports are very fruit-intensive, with aromas of red and black berries such as cherries and currants dominating. This harmonious fruit cocktail, combined with a honey-sweet, full-fruity body, ensures an incomparable taste experience.

The renowned wineries such as Niepoort and Messias attach great importance to bottling their Ruby Port wines directly . This not only preserves the characteristic red color, but also the fruity aroma. A tip for connoisseurs: Once opened, the Ruby Port should be consumed quickly to enjoy the full aroma. But with such a tempting taste, that really shouldn't be a problem.

 

Rosé Port – A fresh twist in the port wine universe

Although traditional port wines are often the first choice, Rosé Port has increased significantly in popularity in recent years. Enjoy it neat, on ice or as a base for refreshing cocktails.

With its relatively short maturation period of just two years in large oak barrels, the Rosé Port brings a wonderfully fruity and sweet note to the glass. It should be noted that it is ready to drink after bottling and does not require any further storage. As with many types of port wine, the following applies here: It is best consumed within a few weeks of opening.

The Messias Rosé Port is a wonderful example of this category. Its fruity note and seductive color make it the perfect candidate for innovative cocktails. A classic among these is the Portotonic. Here the sparkling character of tonic water is combined with the sweetness and fruitiness of Rosé Port, resulting in a wonderfully refreshing aperitif. A must for anyone who wants to offer their guests something new!

 

White Port – A refreshing alternative

For those who appreciate port wine with its fruity, sweet and strong notes, but are looking for a less sweet option, white port offers an intriguing alternative. A notable example of this is the Calem White.

This special port wine seduces with its subtle notes of exotic fruits and cleverly balances them with a slight sweetness. As a semi-dry port wine, Calem White develops its aromas best when served well chilled. In general, white port has a lower alcohol content compared to its red counterpart. Depending on the maturation time, the color nuances, aroma palette and degree of sweetness of the white port vary.

With its balanced flavor profile, it is an excellent accompaniment to fresh salads and fruit. However, if you prefer a sweeter note, this white port can also be served excellently with various cakes.

 

Tawny Port – A kaleidoscope of flavors and nuances

With the diversity of Tawny Port wines, it is a challenge to define a universal taste. Nevertheless, we would like to offer you some guidance. A standout feature of this style of port is its woody notes and dried fruit bouquet. These character traits increase with age. It's worth investing in a higher quality Tawny. Although there are already offers starting at €10, the full potential unfolds at a price of €20. Our recommendations are particularly the Taylor’s 10 Years and the Niepoort 10 Years Old Tawny.

Depending on the degree of ripeness, the tawny develops a wide variety of accents in the nose - from delicate citrus aromas to medium-strong caramel tones to intense chocolate and coffee notes. In terms of taste, younger versions combine aromas of regional and tropical fruits, while older examples produce stronger notes such as baked apple and vanilla, accompanied by a nutty touch.

The color range of tawnies ranges from amber to a light gold tone. As they age, they approach the eponymous “tawny” tone, a light blonde gold. The riper the tawny, the lighter it appears.

Tawny Ports are versatile companions – whether as a digestif or in combination with main courses. Varieties with exotic notes go perfectly with nut ice cream with fruit, for example. A well-aged Tawny goes well with strong sauces for meat dishes. Once opened, it should be enjoyed over the coming weeks.

 

Vintage Port – The flagship for the true connoisseur

For lovers who value authenticity and intensity and like to sink into a comfortable armchair to feel the true character of a wine, Vintage Port is at the top of the list.

Only the most outstanding drops from a particularly good year are included in the composition of a Vintage Port. The result is a wine that promises top quality with every edition. It would be unfair to lump all of these unique wines together, so we recommend treating each of these fine wines individually. Admittedly, they are one of the more expensive members of their kind, but the taste experience justifies every cent. An outstanding example is the Messiah 84 Vintage Port.

Despite their differences, Vintage Ports always retain their characteristic fruity core. They impress with an intense taste that develops in a complex manner on the palate. An initial impression of dried fruit soon gives way to nutty accents, followed by hints of spice and a hint of vanilla. At the end a woody note is revealed, accompanied by a familiar sweetness.

As a pure drinking pleasure, Vintage Ports are unbeatable, especially as a digestif. Thanks to their ripeness, they harmonize perfectly with strong cheeses and rich sauces.