What is it? A sweet variety of fortified wine, usually of a dark-red color, from Portugal.There are two major kinds of Port: vintage and wood. During the vintage process, very little is done to the wine, and it is aged for at least 20 years. The wood Ports are stored in wood barrels and they are much cheaper than vintage. This process was designed to speed up the production and sale of the wine.
Taste: With a high alcohol volume, vintage Port is less sweet than most wines and much thicker. The brandy used to fortify it creates and empowering sharp dry taste, which veteran wine drinkers may appreciate.
Wood Port is fruiter and sweet; not as strong as vintage, and it goes down easier.
Price: Ports may range from $15 to $150. A 20-year-old bottle of Taylor Fladgate Port is $50 at Sparrow Wine and Liquor Co. in Hoboken.
Best with: Since they are thick and dry, Ports are ideal for evenings by the fireplace in the winter. Wood Ports are recommended with chocolate desserts, and high-end vintage Ports are excellent pre-dinner wines, and they also go well when enjoying cigars.
Through the grapevine: The finest Port is produced from grapes grown on the steep and rocky slopes of the Upper Douro region of Portugal. In the 17th century these wines did not travel well, so the traders in England and Portugal added brandy to fortify them against the rigors of their Atlantic sea voyage. Before long pure grape spirit was added during fermentation and Port was created.
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