Want to impress your woman for a dinner date? Serve her a glass of Port afterwards. Much like any other wine, Port is considered unique in its own way.
BUT WHAT MAKES IT SO UNIQUE?
Port is a fortified wine produced in Portugal. One of the best after drinks, Port is consumed as an accompaniment to cheeses, with desserts or as a digestif. Port can be matched with food like any other wine. But what makes it unique is the addition of aguardiente, simply put Brandy to usually, red wine. This brings up the alcohol content (20% ABV on average) and also preserves the natural sugars from the grapes by stopping the fermentation process.
BUT HOW DO I DIFFERENTIATE PORT?
Bottled-aged Port and Barrel-aged Port are the two main distinctions of Port wine. Bottle-aged Port is smoother than the barrel-aged Port which tends to take on qualities of the wooden barrels. Dark and Pale are the two families of a port. The colour pale, orange comes by ageing russet ports in wood to give it a smooth texture; whereas dark, red and black ports are bottled early when they are still packed with fruit, pepper and fire!
WANT TO MAKE A CHOICE?
Stick to Ruby port, because it stays good for a month or even longer. It is barrel aged for three to four years and is ready to drink as soon as it is bottled. You can serve it with fruit, cheese and desserts. Apart from its taste, what makes it your first choice is the fact that it is easily accessible and less expensive. You can have it slightly chilled, on the rocks or even in a cocktail!
But wait, if you are looking for a fine dine or a special occasion then you must try Vintage Port which is fragile, delicate on the palate and of course expensive. But it’s worth a shot! Vintage Port should be consumed within 24-48 hours after opening the bottle.
Here are some of my recommendations to pick out the best wine out there!
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Sandeman Ruby port- Ripe and smooth, having the flavour of cherry and goes well with a chocolate dessert.
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Warre’s Heritage Ruby Port- More of a candy like flavour with a unique taste of cherry.
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Drink Me Port Series Dum Niepoort- Rich, full bodied, delicious with a sweet blackberry and blackcurrant coating that leaves the mouth humming with cracked pepper fumes!
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Late Bottled Vintage Port- Made from wine that’s aged in wood for more than three to four years. Available in two types – filtered or unfiltered. Unfiltered or crusted LBV is different in taste as it has more flavour but you will need a metal decanting funnel and a decanter to remove the sediment when you decide to drink!
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Tawny Port- Tawny Port is slightly expensive depending on how long it’s aged. There are four ages that Tawny Port bears : 10, 20, 30 and 40 years. The ageing process makes it rich, nutty, caramel to chocolate on the palate.
Now that you have a slight idea as to which Port to buy you should also know that it is essential that Port is stored in a cool, dark place. It should be stored sideways or in an upright position. So, cheers to your first Port and enjoy it like you enjoy any other glass
of wine!
