In 1756 the Douro Valley became the world’s first wine appellation when the Portuguese government officially set its geographical boundaries. (I know, you would think France was first, but no! Long live port!) Terroir In contrast to fruit-forward, powerful Vintage Port, Tawny Port offers a more subtle array of flavors like caramel, peanut brittle, dried fruits (apricots, dates, raisins, prunes), nutmeg, chocolate and walnut.

With their nutty nuances, Tawny Port pairs naturally with nut-based desserts like pecan pie and almond biscotti, but they are also capable of partnering with savory items such as a charcuterie board of salamis and thinly sliced hams, Pecorino cheese, olives, dried prunes and apricots, potato chips and nuts. Adding port to meat dishes gives them a full berry and spice flavor. It is also often added to chocolate cakes or sauces to add a richer, fruitier flavor. Vintage ports are the top-quality red ports from a single year – and only the best years. They’re aged in wood for just a couple of years. Unlike most ports, they have the potential to develop in the bottle (more on that later). Port from Portugal comes in several styles, which can be divided into two broad categories: wines matured in sealed glass bottles, and wines that have matured in wooden barrels. Geosmin is a chemical compound that can give wines and ports an unpleasant, earthy odour, usually the result of using grape crops having been affected by rot.Colheita port is a single-vintage tawny port [14] [15] aged for at least seven years, with the vintage year on the bottle instead of a category of age (10, 20, etc.). Colheita port should not be confused with a vintage port: a vintage port will spend only about 18 months in barrels after harvest and will continue to mature in bottles, but a Colheita may have spent 20 or more years in wooden barrels before being bottled and sold. White Colheitas have also been produced.

There are several varieties of these port grapes. (Around 30!) Each contributes a slightly different flavor to the wine. Ruby port is one of the few drinks that serve as a dessert itself. If you’re feeling full but still want a little sweet, a glass of ruby port is just the thing! Enjoying". Portwine.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007 . Retrieved 27 December 2007. Palo Cortado Sherry is rather a rare style of Sherry that combines the aroma of an amontillado (dry, nutty, full bodied), with the flavour of an Oloroso (sweeter, darker, walnuts). In colour it is dark amber or light brown.The purpose for the creation of the crossing of the grape varieties utilized to produce Ruby Cabernet was to obtain the superior quality of a Cabernet wine, and the resistance to heat of the Carignan combined in an inexpensive table wine. Even though the wine made from these grapes does not possess the distinctive flavor and the overall structure of other types of Cabernet wines, it does carry their fruitful essence. [2] Cima Corgo: to the east, has a drier climate, contains the finest vineyards, creates concentrated and long-lasting wines Port is a Portuguese fortified wine often enjoyed alongside a cheese board, after a big meal or simply as a relaxing evening treat. a b "Ruby Port - Ruby Port is young, full-bodied, blended in the style of individual port producers. It is aged for two or three years in large vats to keep oxidation to a minimum. Premium Rubies are of better quality and aged in wood for four to six years". portwine.com. This is the king of after dinner wines, so it has to be paired with strong cheese or dark chocolate desserts to go with vintage port. It is also good company for strong coffee and the odd cigar.