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Complex and concentrated, Tawny Ports aren’t nearly as fresh and fruity as their Ruby Port cousins (after all, they’ve had to age a minimum of seven years in oak). More reserved, sometimes serious, and often sweet, Tawny Ports have rich, smooth lines that support the yummy oxidized flavor profiles of age-designated bottles. Flavor: Expect citrus and stone fruit to carry over into the glass and Port’s trademark nutty, raisin, and spice influences will surface front and center. Honeyed character reveals a rich, smooth texture that is most often made in a dry to off-dry (and occasionally sweet) format.
port 2023: We round up the finest Ruby, Reserve, Single Best port 2023: We round up the finest Ruby, Reserve, Single
Serving Tips: Most Tawny Ports have an age designation on the label: 10, 20, 30 or more years, which indicates the average year of the grapes in the bottle, not the vintage age of the fruit harvest. Tawnies don’t throw sediment and can typically skip the decanter. Because of the innate oxidation, they can easily last a month once opened (store in fridge). Serve cool (around 55-60°F). With their sweet to semi-sweet character, nutty nuances, dried apricots, and spiced toffee aromatics, Tawny Ports are a natural pairing for all sorts of nutty delights. Think pecan pie, almond biscotti, or regionally-inspired Portuguese salted almond cake, or caramel covered cheesecake. This wine is also exceptional at bringing out the best in German Chocolate Cake, cinnamon-crusted apple pie, crème brûlée, and can even complement the fluffy, full-throttle flavors of coconut cream pie. While handling all sorts of sugar themes with ease and delicious determination, Tawnies are completely capable of partnering up with the savory side of smoked cheddar, Pecorino, and aged Manchego (yum!).
Good Vintages: 2011, 2009, 2007, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1994, 1985, 1983, 1980, 1977, 1970. See old vintage list here. Serving Tips: Ruby Port is intended to be consumed young and promises to dazzle with fresh, happy, primary fruit on both the nose and palate. This particular style of Port is a blend of good quality red grapes from a variety of vintages and has likely only seen a few years of wood aging prior to release. Serve slightly chilled (around 55-65°F). The bottle should feel cool to the touch. Ruby Port will keep for several weeks after opening if it is stored in the fridge.
Styles of Port and Their Pairings | Wine Folly Styles of Port and Their Pairings | Wine Folly
Today, you can find Port wine in a range of versatile styles including ruby, tawny, white, and rosé. Most Port has a semi-sweet to notably sweet taste profile and for this reason, Port has a reputation as a popular dessert wine. The sweetness in the wine comes from the brandy that is added during fermentation, which halts the fermentation process, leaving some sugar behind and increasing alcohol levels to up 20% ABV. Traditional Port GrapesThe endearing characteristics that highlight a classic Vintage Port pairing involve buttery and tangy elements, ok… and probably the crazy stink of Stilton blue cheese. Dubbed by many as the “perfect pairing” and completely counterintuitive by most standards, you can easily substitute, Roquefort, Cashel Blue, the famous French Bleu d’Auvergne, or Gorgonzola to marry the rich, silky textures of a Vintage Port with the bold, snappy stench of odiferous blue cheese. As the classic sipping wine, Vintage Port is an excellent accompaniment for small plates that feature ingredients such as blue cheese, dark chocolate, figs, and walnuts (which add their own tannic tango to the mix). White Port often finds itself chilled and flying solo in a white wine or traditional port glass, playing the part of the willing aperitif. However, it is just as often dressed up with equal parts Port to tonic and garnished with a slice of lemon. Often served as an aperitif with the unforgettable large, blanched, and slightly salted almonds of the Douro, White Port is a versatile pairing partner. Drier styles of White Port shine brightly with everything from smoked salmon, shellfish, and sushi. It also works well alongside a tray of Gruyere, olives, and charcuterie. Prefer a sweeter style of White Port? Then, partner up with fresh fruit themes: angel cake with strawberries, lemon meringue, peaches in cream, or white chocolate covered strawberries. Showing a simple, fruity, youthful character, Ruby Ports are generally the least expensive of the Port wines available on the shelf. Typically aged in large oak casks for an average of two years, Ruby Ports are ready to drink as soon as they’re bottled.
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