What is Port Wine?

 

Port wine is a type of fortified dessert wine made from grapes grown in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It’s typically red and also most probably the best dessert wine; however, some versions are white or rosé, which is bottled in Oporto. The term Port Wine originates from the Latin language meaning harbor, reflecting the region’s proximity to a river populated with renowned port wine producers.

If you are looking to enjoy your after-dinner, port wine is a great option. Also, it is relatively easy to find them when you want to buy dessert wine online and in many liquor stores.

How is Port Wine Made

In Europe, like other winemaking regions, grapes are manually harvested in mid-September for Port wine. As you know, fermentation requires sugar to be converted into carbon dioxide, heat, and alcohol by yeast. If the process ceases before all of the natural sugars have been consumed, a sweeter wine is created. After approximately half of the grape juice has been fermented into alcohol, fortification is initiated through the addition of brandy. This stops fermentation and leaves behind residual sugar, after which the dessert wine is aged for at least two years in barrels.

What Makes Port Wine Unique?

Nestled within the stunning, mountainous expanse of the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal, lies some of the world’s oldest and most celebrated vineyards – their roots tracing back to ancient times. Many of the oldest vineyards are now designated as World Heritage sites. With more than 50 red and white wine grapes that can be used to create the best dessert wines, the indigenous Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Barroca, and Tinto Cão varieties are often preferred.

Furthermore, Port wines boast a production process that is distinct from the standard dessert wines. Instead of its long aging capability, Port wines can last up to a month after it’s opened depending on sugar and alcohol levels; this period significantly exceeds the normal oxidation window of other wines. For all these reasons, it is normal to be a little expensive even when you want to order wine online.

Port wine can be a great addition to any wine collection. If you are looking to buy dessert wine online, it is important to know what to look for.  These are some of the most common types of Port wines.

Ruby

Known for its ruby hue, this full-bodied Port wine is the result of little to no oxidation during aging, usually for three years or less in wooden barrels. It is characterized by its bright berry, spice, and chocolate notes. This is the most common variety that you will come across when you buy dessert wine online.

Ruby Reserva

Tawny and Ruby’s Port wines fall into this reserved category. Wines classified as Ruby Reserva Port wines are distinguished from their counterparts by a more powerful bouquet of fruit, as well as a heightened complexity in flavor due to the deliberate selection process applied during the blending process.

Tawny

Tawny wines are typically a blend of three-year-old vintage best dessert wines, which are aged in barrels previously used to store still wine. Through multiple racking during the maturation process to force oxidation, the resulting dessert wine acquires a distinct golden hue while retaining little to no of the traditional characteristic aromas associated with oak aging. The nose is graced by caramel, spice, hazelnuts, and dried fruit aromas.

Tawny Reserva

Compared to regular Tawny, Reserva Port wines boast superior qualities and are produced through varied winemaking processes that impart distinctive colors, ranging from ruby red to deep brown. Typically, a blend of 5-7-year-old vintages, these high-quality best dessert wines offer connoisseurs a wide range of exquisite flavors.

Vintage Porto

Only in declared great vintage years of exceptional quality is Porto classified as Vintage Porto. This makes Portuguese Port Wines and French Champagne the only wines in the world that do not put a vintage year on the bottle every year.

Age Designated Porto

These Port wines are of the highest quality and are tawny. They are made from a blend of the best dessert wines from different harvests, which gives them their unique flavor profile. The age designations are 10-year-old, 20-year-old, 30 years old, and over 40-year-old. As you can easily notice when you order wine online, these are among the most expensive but the best dessert wines on the market

Tasting Notes for Port Wine

Port wine is enthralling due to the myriad of styles available, each bearing its distinct tastes. Reserve and Late Bottled Vintage exemplify powerful berry notes while Aged Tawny dessert wines delight with mellow nuances and Vintage Port wine shines in its sublime complexity. Each grape varietal adds its special flavor: woodland fruits, floral aromas, unusual spices, and fragrant resin can all be experienced on the nose.

If you want to order wine online for the end of a meal, be sure that Port wine can be savored either as an after-dinner drink or dessert wine, and white Port wine makes for a pleasant aperitif. For an extraordinary taste experience, every oenophile should explore the exquisite pairing of the best dessert wines like Port with blue cheese.

If you found our tips on Port wine helpful, be sure to check out our other dessert wine article for more information. We cover a wide range of topics to help you get the most out of your online order wine experience. Thanks for reading!

0