Port wine is one of the most popular products from Portugal. However, its unique and distinctive taste is still not very popular in Poland – which is a shame, as it makes a great addition to afternoon tea and savory appetizers, and also fantastically warms you up on autumn and winter evenings. There are several types of port, although its production region is very limited. What is the history of this wine and how does it differ from those known from Italy or Spain? How, with what, and in what to serve port?
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Port not from Porto
Before reaching for a port wine glass and filling it with the aromatic beverage, it's worth learning about the history of this globally unique wine. It originally comes from a region in northern Portugal. In the area around the middle course of the Douro River, a special variety of grapes used to produce this drink grows. It is also aged there in large vineyards and then bottled. Only Portuguese producers located in this area can use the protected name "porto" for their products.
The history of port, like surprisingly many alcoholic beverages, dates back to the Hundred Years' War between England and France. This resulted, among other things, in the British being cut off from French wines. Thanks to this, cider, among other things, became the national drink of the islanders. However, for many noblemen, this was still not enough – they sought places to replenish their cellars with new varieties of wine, regardless of their relations with the French.
Some merchants went to the Portuguese city of Porto, where they began to procure wine from the northern part of the country. The name "porto" thus originated from the place where the alcohol was traded, not where this particular type was produced. Interestingly – the word "Portugal" also comes from the original name of this city: "Port Cale". This adds a lot of magic to the history of a wine that is a kind of symbol of this state!
Portuguese wine did not differ much from other beverages of its kind. Legend has it that only its "journey" to England made it what it is today. During the long sea voyage, wine in barrels would spoil and lose its value. Clever merchants began to add imported Portuguese wine spirit to it. This prevented the multiplication of microorganisms, but also changed the properties of the drink! It gained strength, a specific aroma, and its sweet taste deepened.
The English loved this improved wine. With the development of history and global diplomatic contacts, the whole world eventually came to appreciate the exceptional port. Regulations introduced as early as the 18th century allowed for the creation of standards for the production of this drink and the designation of the region where grapevines for port are cultivated. This made it one of Portugal's export treasures.
Types of port
Original port has an alcohol content of 19-21%. The production process is similar to winemaking. When the alcohol level in the barrels approaches 7%, wine spirit is added to the liquid in appropriate proportions, thus achieving the desired alcohol content and aroma of the port.
Although grapes for port are grown exclusively in one protected region worldwide, they can yield as many as seven varieties of wine. They differ in color, sweetness level, and quality. Vinho do Porto Ruby is the most popular and readily available type. It is red, very sweet and fruity, characterized by freshness and a short shelf life after opening. A nobler variety is the red Vinho do Porto Tawny. Wines of this type are aged from 3 to even 40 years. With age, it becomes less fruity and more spicy and dry, which is related to the time it spends in wooden barrels. Connoisseurs also reach for red Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) and Vintage Porto. The former is somewhat chocolatey, but at the same time fruity. The latter is the most prestigious type, whose taste and aroma do not change for decades, and the amount of sugar or alcohol does not decrease. The red versions also include the less popular Garrafeira, which is distinguished by being stored in glass demijohns after the aging period.
Check out our red wine glasses!
Port is also available in white. Vinho do Porto Branco can be sweet or dry. It is drunk chilled, on its own or with gin, depending on preference. It ages for a minimum of 5 years and has a slightly lower alcohol content than the red version. A younger generation of artisans has also created pink port – Porto Rose – which is distinguished by a fruity taste reminiscent of raspberries and strawberries. With what to serve each version of this drink and what do port wine glasses look like?
Dessert flavor
Full of sweetness, port glasses are instinctively associated with afternoon tea. This wine seems to be an excellent addition to cake or ice cream. In this role, both Porto Tawny and Porto Ruby can be served, as they pair well with tarts or fruit pastries, chocolate, coffee, milk puddings, and other such treats.
The dessert-like taste of all varieties of this drink will also work well not only with sweet but also with savory appetizers! Red port is recommended with Portuguese and English cheeses, as well as nuts and dried fruits. Served as an aperitif, it will certainly whet your appetite for more at many an opulent reception! White port, on the other hand, which should be served chilled on its own or with tonic and lemon, pairs well with snacks with smoked salmon or roasted seeds. Which port glass to choose for every occasion?
Glasses for… sherry
Port glasses, despite their immense popularity, do not stand out much from others. Of course, there are dedicated port glasses that impress with their original shape. They will be perfect for an elegant reception. However, in restaurants or during various celebrations, this role is largely played by... sherry glasses.
Also check: How to choose glasses for different types of wine?
In Portugal, this alcohol is drunk in ordinary wine glasses or their smaller version. However, this does not mean that it can be served in just anything, even if it is difficult to buy special port glasses – shape matters in this case! The vessel should have an elongated stem, which you can hold to avoid warming the liquid with your hands. In addition, a wide bowl is important, where all the aroma concentrates, reaching the nose with each sip before the taste is even perceived in the mouth. The tasting thus resembles savoring traditional wine, although due to the strength and much more noticeable aftertaste of alcohol, it lasts much longer, and with each moment, the port pleasantly warms you up.