Port, a distinctive fortified wine, is the most famous export of Portugal and the signature drink of the beautiful city of Porto. Many of the great Port houses can be seen along the banks of the Douro River in the city. Port has legal designation of origin protection, and must be made from grape varieties grown in the Douro valley. It is made by adding grape spirit (brandy) to wine while it is fermenting, which stops the fermentation process, leaving more sugar in the final product and increasing the alcohol content by 20%. The result is rich, sweet liqueur-style wine, and there are several styles, depending on the ageing process applied, including Ruby Port, Tawny Port and White Port.
Ruby Port is best known around the world as a ‘dessert wine’ or after-dinner digestif. A deep red colour, it is rich and full of fruity flavours, such as cherries and berries. It tends to have some sediment and is best served in a decanter. After the Methuen Treaty of 1703, duties on Portuguese wines imported into England made them more affordable than French wine. Soon, drinking Port was the done thing in the great houses and restaurants of Great Britain. Various traditions developed, for example after dinner, the decanter of Port is passed to the left (clockwise), which is believed to stem from naval traditions. It has the shortest fermentation time of all port wines, aged in vats for two to three years, which reduces its exposure to oxygen.
Tawny port is usually a lighter reddish brown colour than the Ruby Port, and is aged for longer, in wooden casks with mellow caramel, nut and dried fruit flavours. Different ages of port mean the flavour varies, and it has less sediment, so can be served from the bottle. It makes for a superb dessert wine and is delicious paired with strong cheeses.
White port is made from white grapes and is lighter than other ports in flavour and colour. It is aged in oak barrels which gives it a distinct flavour and can be served as a delicious aperitif. On its own, it is a great accompaniment to sweet treats, or it can be mixed with ice, tonic or other mixers to create cocktails.