Types Of Port Wine

Port wine is a fortified dessert wine produced in Portugal's Douro Valley. Many countries such as Australia, South Africa, United States and India produce Port-like wines, but a true Port hails from Portugal.

Port wines have a higher alcohol content and are much sweeter and thicker than table wine.

They should be served between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in a smaller glass, similar to dessert wines, filled halfway, allowing the air to release it's characteristics.

Service of these fortified wines come at the end of the meal and are traditionally served with cheeses and nuts, like Stilton and cashews.

Ports also compliment desserts that are of similar flavor. A dessert that consists of berries or currants will enhance the characteristics of a Port.

Ports are broken down into several varieties.

Vintage – a Vintage Port is one that is from grapes of a declared vintage year and require up to 15 years of aging. They should be served through a decanter to rid them of the crust (sediment) that forms during aging.

Tawny – Tawny's take on a golden brown caramel color since they are aged in wood barrels which are often nutty in flavor. When a Tawny is produced in a different country the aging process can be reduced in which a caramel color is added to give the appearance of a Tawny,

LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) – smoother and lighter than a Vintage with a shorter aging process, usually 4-6 years and that of a single year.

LBNV (Late Bottled non Vintage) - same characteristics of an LBV, but does not hail from a specific year.

Ruby – consists of several vintages. Ruby's are fermented in wood and aged in glass. This process allows the Port to keep its ruby color. Ruby's are cheaper than other varieties since the aging process is not as difficult nor time consuming. Ruby's are also used in cooking and added to cocktails.

White – made of white grapes and range from being very sweet to extra dry.

Ordering a Port in a restaurant can be a simple process when you have a general understanding and knowledge of their different characteristics and properties. A restaurant's selection of Ports can be found on the wine list offered at the beginning of the meal with a list of spirits at then end of the meal before dessert is ordered.