In the second half of the 17th century, a number of English traders settled in Porto and founded the first English wine companies located there, including those that are still well-known today. Port wine is a drink fortified with a wine distillate, usually natural in color and taste, to around 20% alcohol, the qualities of which are sought after at auctions and are expensive.
And why do port wines taste great? There are many great ways to enjoy port wine – A Tawny with warm or cold foie grass and a young LBV with a steak.
Conceptually, a distinction is made between barrel-aged and bottle-aged port wines, with basically every port wine initially maturing in barrels. The definition is therefore rather vague, and a difference can basically only be made out in the aromas of older vintages. In the case of barrel-matured port wines, the taste is more in the direction of dried fruits, especially dried figs.
The Most Important Port Wine Options
Messias Porto Rosé
Due to its fruitiness and of course its color, this port wine is made for creating great drinks. With this simple drink, all you need to do is pour the Rose Port with tonic water and you can serve your guests a fruity drink. The flowery rose and the sparkling tonic complement each other. We recommend the Messias Rosé Port for sparkling cocktails.
Niepoort Porto 10 Years Old Tawny N.V.
Niepoort 10 Years Old Tawny depending on the age, the Tawny presents itself with light nuances such as a citrus scent through heavy notes such as caramel to chocolate. The taste mixes the young flavors of regional and exotic fruits. With age, stronger notes develop, such as baked apple. The result is a nutty undertone. A well ripened tawny is a wonderful accompaniment to strong sauces on meat dishes. Once opened, the tawny should be consumed within a few weeks.
Messias Porto Vintage
The fruity taste of a matured port is retained. The taste of this wine is very intense and changes in the mouth. The following description provides a very rough guide: Initially, dried fruits appear, which subside from nutty nuances to spices. The finish shows a woody smoky nuance with a recurring sweetness. It is a real pleasure on its own! Due to its age, like some tawnies, it is suitable as a companion to spicy cheese platters and strong sauces.
Cálem Velhotes White Porto
Its taste of fruits is pleasantly restrained and rounds off with a subtle sweetness. The Calem White Port is a semi dry port wine and tastes good when chilled. White port wine usually contains less alcohol than the red port. Depending on its storage time, the White Port has different flavors, as well as a color facet and a variable degree of sweetness. With its great taste, this white port wine is a wonderful accompaniment to salads and fruits. If you notice that you are missing the sugar, you can also serve the port wonderfully with cake.
Taylor’s Select Reserve Port
The Taylor Select Reserve Port is fruity. At the same time, this wine is also balanced and fine. As a red wine, the aromas of dark berries can be found in it. Taylor Ruby Select Reserve Port wine is a great dessert wine and goes right with a spicy blue cheese, for example. The grapes are handpicked and mashed in flat steel tanks. Careful processing ensures a unique taste experience. This port wine matures in wooden barrels until it is bottled.
Niepoort Ruby Port
The bouquet greets you with an auspicious fragrance, which is a pleasure to try. The taste of a Ruby Port is very fruity with notes of red and black berries such as cherries and currants. On the palate it is honey-sweet and fruity.