Port Wine

Port is a fine after dinner drink with a great tradition. It is made from a range of grapes grown in northern Portugal. At a certain time in the fermentation process the wine is transferred to tanks where the local (very high strength) brandy is added. The brandy, called aguardente serves to stop the fermentation process. This process ensures that some of the grape sugar has been preserved, and at the same time fortifies the wine.

Port is a blend of wines from different estates (Quintas). Although the Port is actually made in the Douro region, it is transferred to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto, the maturation process. Recently, the wine industry Portuguese renamed Port "Porto" to reflect its authenticity and the name of the city, whence it is shipped. They also want to avoid being confused with the Port is not produced in Portugal.

Port falls into two main categories-Wood Port and Port Bottle. Each has its own subcategories:

Wood Port :

Wood Port has spent his entire life, maturing in casks and is ready to drink as soon as it is bottled. Examples of this type of port covers, Ruby, Tawny and White.

Ruby Port - This is the basic type of port is often drunk with lemonade or other mixer drinks. It is a relatively young wine can be sold after only two or three years maturing in wood, but up to five years is more common. It has a distinctive, deep ruby color and fruity liquorices-like taste.

Tawny - Tawny Port is matured in casks for up to ten years (even longer for an old Tawny), or until it disappears in a characteristic brownish color. Tawny is often true quality Ports with a very rich character.

White Port - This is a very small part of the port trade. Winemaking is the same as for standard Ruby Port. It is sometimes drunk as apritif.

Bottle Port :

Unlike Wood Port, this type of Port matured mainly, or at least a portion of the time in bottles. Examples include Vintage Port, Vintage Character Port, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) and Crusted Port.

Vintage Port Port This style is made from grapes grown in a particularly good year, and produces the finest Port available. It is usually stored in wood for two or three years and then kept in bottles for up to twenty years or more, so it can enjoy a slow maturation process.

Vintage Character Port - This port mixed good quality wines made from different years. It is wooded for about four years and is ready to drink soon after being bottled.

Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) - LBV is a vintage style of Port, which has been matured for about six years and then bottled where it will continue to improve.

Crusted Port - This is a mix of quality vintage ports have been kept in casks for up to four years. When bottled, it develops sediment or crust, as it matures, hence the name.