Port Wines
Port Wines
Port Wine is a liqueur wine, produced in the Douro Demarcated Region, under peculiar conditions derived from natural and human factors.
A multitude of harmonies
Before meal
Roasted almonds, smoked salmon, prunes or dried dates served before a meal go perfectly with White Port, served chilled.
Dry White Port, when served with tonic water, ice and a slice of lemon in a tall glass, the “PORTONIC”, is a fantastic aperitif! If the option is to serve a pâté, the 10 year old Tawnies are an excellent choice! These too, as well as the Reserve Tawnies can be served chilled or with a stone of ice, with friends or during the summer.
During the meal
While we savor magnificent dishes, we can accompany them with a variety of styles of Port Wine. If meals are light, based on salads or grilled fatty fish such as salmon, White Port remains an excellent choice. This wine goes well with cream-based soups.
If starters include strong cheeses or pâtés, Refreshed 10 year old Tawnies should be chosen, as well as dry fruits such as nuts are also part of the dish. In roasts and steaks with intense sauces with peppers or some spices, the LVB is an ideal option for the accompaniment, balancing the intensity of flavors.
At the end of the meal
At dessert, a moment of excellence to taste Port Wine, there are opportunities to pair with fruits, sweets and cheeses. Chocolate cakes and mousses combine harmoniously with LBV or Young and fruity vintages.
The intense flavors of convent sweets (with sugar and eggs at the base) are enhanced by the delicate flavors of the 10 and 20 year old Tawnies. Choosing a fruit salad, crème brûlée or an almond tart, less intense desserts, requires pairing with a younger Tawny such as Reserva Tawny or 10 year old Tawny, as well as vanilla ice cream or dried fruit. In this case, the wines should be served cold, to accompany the temperatures of the ice cream. If the option for dessert is a cheesecake, or soft cheeses of medium intensity, then the choice should fall on a Ruby Reserve or a LBV.
If the cheeses are more intense or have a harder paste, then the option should fall on wines of the style Tawny older like 20 years.
After meal
It proves that Port wines accompany every moment of a meal, when you focus on your cigar, accompany it with an Old Vintage. These wines are also excellent to enjoy on their own, after careful decanting.
For coffee, a 20 year old Tawny or older is the perfect harmony. These blended wines, such as the 30 years old and over 40 years old, alone provide intense experiences when served slightly chilled, so that you can fully appreciate the aromas. Colheitas, although they can be enjoyed on their own, can be combined with the desserts recommended for Tawnies, depending on their age.
Wine Conservation
Retention periods
| Wine Category | Conservation period |
|---|---|
|
Vintage |
1 to 2 days |
|
LBV |
4 to 5 days |
|
Crusted |
4 to 5 days |
|
Ruby / Reserve Ruby |
8 to 10 days |
|
Tawny / Reserve Tawny |
3 to 4 weeks |
|
Tawny with Indication of Age (10/20/30/40) |
Between 1 to 4 months (younger ones less time, older ones longer) |
|
Whites with indication of age (10/20/30/40) |
Between 1 to 4 months (younger ones less time, older ones longer) |
|
Harvest |
Between 1 to 4 months (younger ones less time, older ones longer) |
|
Style-dependent “standard” whites: Modern (fresh and fruity) |
8/10 days; Traditional (oxidative style): 15/20 days |
Service temperatures
| Wine Category | Temperature |
|---|---|
|
Rosé Port |
4ºC |
|
White Port |
6-10ºC |
|
Ruby style Port |
12-16ºC |
|
Tawny style Port |
10-14ºC |