Port on a Winter's Night

Published on May 24, 2011

Port is a fortified wine that means it is a wine with a neutral, high alcohol spirit added to it. The wine is made from a blend of grapes, indigenous to Portugal. The grapes are deeply coloured purple and rich with flavour. The wine ferments only until it reaches around six percent alcohol by volume. There are still a lot of sugars in the juice when it gets hit with the spirit. That spirit kills the fermentation process. Now we are left with a sweet, grapey, high alcohol wine.


There are two basic styles of Port. Ruby Port has been stored in oak for a short time. The oak imparts some flavour to the wine, but not really perceptible. It does not change the colour of the wine. This style of Port is sweet and can have an off balance of high alcohol. Serve this Port at room temperature. A two ounce pour, in a tulip shaped glass, is the classic service.


The other style of Port is the Tawny. The amber, tawny colour is from storage in oak casks for years. The port is mellowed out and the alcohol will be integrated. The flavour is less grapey and more like toffee. It is a delicious beverage. Once again, try a two ounce pour, in a tulip glass.

Classic food matches are, blue cheese, chocolate, almonds and dried fruits. I believe the other essential match, if possible, is a warm fire to curl up by.


My favorite Port choices are the following:

• Taylor Fladgate, Late Bottle Vintage, 2004. This is the Ruby style with the benefit of coming from an exceptional year in the vineyards. It is the best ruby style without jumping to the exclusive, expensive Vintage Port. The LBV, as it is called, usually costs less that $30.00


• Taylor Fladgate, Ten Year Old. This is the Tawny style I usually purchase. It has a nice hot bite with a toffee pudding sweetness. Prices are usually under $30.00. It is the best value in Tawny Port.


All Port does not last very long and should be consumed within twelve weeks. Even at that, it is pushing it. You will find the Port changes flavour. It is best to finish the Port off within four weeks. Store it in the fridge if you have it longer than that.


Find the wines, go to Alberta Liquor Guide and follow the directions. You can find the wine close to your postal code. Call the store first to make sure it is in stock!