Portuguese port wine: description, composition and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Portuguese port wine is a unique high quality fortified wine with a rich history, many varieties and unique taste characteristics. Currently, port wine from Portugal has many admirers around the world. All the features and origin of this wine drink will be considered in detail in the article.

A trip to history

Many experts believe that the history of Portuguese port wine began thanks to the efforts of the count and leading military leader - Henry of Burgundy. He lived in the XI century in the county of Portucale and was engaged in the cultivation of vineyards. But the wines still came out rough, red, dry, and high in acidity.

In the first half of the 18th century, a significant event took place. Unable to reach a consensus, the two great powers - England and France - imposed sanctions on each other's goods. A heavy blow for the British was the ban on the import of French wines, which since ancient times have been of excellent quality.

Sothe British began to look for another wine supplier and turned their eyes to Portugal. After the conclusion of a lucrative trade agreement, Portuguese wine began its journey to England.

It is worth noting that in the process of transportation, the wine deteriorated and often became unfit for consumption. Therefore, local winemakers began to add a little brandy to the wine. Thanks to this trick, the shelf life of the drink has increased significantly. Thus began the formation and development of Portuguese port wine from Porto.

Port wine these days

The style and technology of making port wine was finally determined only by the end of the 19th century. Currently, this drink is the subject of national pride of all the Portuguese. It is popular not only in Portugal, but all over the world.

At the moment, the export of Portuguese port wine is well established, so it can be easily purchased at any alcohol market in our country. It is worth noting that port wine from Portugal has a category of name that is controlled by origin. Therefore, the quality of this wine drink always remains at a high level and invariably pleases consumers.

Geographic location

Portuguese port wine is produced only in the territory, which was limited by decree of the king in the second half of the XVIII century. The wine-growing region begins near the city of Porto and stretches along the bed of the full-flowing Douro River. Its area is limited by wooden pillars, which are gladly shown to tourists as a historical monument.

It is worth special attention that the difficult mountainous terrain, changeable climatic conditions, the presence of shale in the soil and landslide processes forced the Portuguese to artificially create conditions for growing grapes. This is how the unique local landscapes with neatly demarcated terraces that rise along the slopes along the river arose. Some of these vineyards grow at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level.

Production technology

At the moment, the production of Portuguese port wine (Porto) takes place using modern equipment. Although some wineries still make a wine drink using traditional methods. To do this, they use a special vat a little over half a meter deep and crush grapes in it with their feet.

The fermentation process of the resulting base product is no more than three days. After that, alcohol is added to it, the strength of which is more than seventy percent. This entire cycle is performed by winemakers in a well-defined proportion, which has passed the age-old test.

Further, the resulting product is poured into barrels, where it remains for the whole winter. In order to avoid the accumulation of sediment at the bottom, the wine drink is periodically poured into other oak barrels.

Then the resulting product is transported to the city, which is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean - Vila Nova de Gaia. In his wine cellarsfortified wine is checked by technologists and divided into types.

Earlier, oak barrels with future port wine were transported along a stormy river on ships, so as not to disturb the drink by shaking on bad roads. At the moment, equipped and modern trucks are used for this purpose.

All port producers are required to strictly comply with the drink production technology, which requires port wine to mature in oak barrels for several years and only then poured into bottles. Some types of port wine continue to develop in bottles. We will consider the full classification of the drink in the next chapter.

Types of port wine

Classification of port wine is quite complex and contains many criteria. First, all ports spend a mandatory three years of aging in oak barrels. Then an experienced technologist controls the quality of the drink and divides it into types.

Also, do not forget that Portuguese port wine is a product that is obtained by the so-called assemblage - the process of mixing several wine drinks. Consider the most popular classification of port, which is based on the way it is aged.

Port wines aged in barrels

Tawny is the most common type of wine drink in Portugal. It has an amber color and a nutty aroma. This type of port is aged in oak barrels for more than two years.

There is also a category of ports marked Old Towny. They are a mixture of wine drinks that are aged in oak barrels from ten to fortyyears.

Colheita is a port made from drinks labeled Towny but with a higher flavor profile. Fortified wines in this category are selected by an expert and then mature under supervision. Colheita Ports are blended with only one vintage.

Branco is an inexpensive port that is made from young fortified wine and has a bright aroma of ripe fruit. It is made from white grape varieties.

Ports aged in bottles

Lagrima is a young wine drink made from white grapes. It differs from other types of port wines in an incredibly sweet taste with a pleasant vanilla aroma.

Rose is a newly introduced type of young port that is characterized by a soft pink color. It is produced from red grapes by very mild fermentation. This drink has a rich fruity taste and aroma.

Ruby is an inexpensive young port made from red grapes. It has a bright ruby color and a strong fruity aroma. This wine drink is aged in barrels for a minimum period and then continues its development in bottles.

Late Bottled Vintage is a good quality drink made from grapes from one year's harvest. It is aged in barrel for three to six years and continues its development in the bottle. It has pronounced taste characteristics and spicy aroma.

Vintage - this drink rightfully bears the title of the best Portuguese port wine. It is aged in oak barrels for about three years and then continues its development in the bottle. Before the expiration of five years of aging, this port has a bright ruby color and fruity aroma with hints of dark chocolate. As the drink develops, a number of changes occur in it, namely, the color changes, acquiring a golden brown hue, and the taste characteristics become complex and rich. This port can mature in the bottle for up to fifty years.

Port with sediment

Unfiltered, or ports marked Crusted, have been hugely popular in the past. They belong to the Late Bottled Vintage category and are made by blending fortified wines from one or more vintages without filtration. The aging time of this drink in the bottle is about three years. After this time, the port must be decanted, that is, rid of the sediment and consumed.

It is worth noting that, due to outdated technology, this type of port has practically ceased to exist.

Portuguese port: reviews

Currently, there are many types of port wine from Portugal, which are aimed at different target audiences and financial capabilities of consumers. For example, Lagrima port wine is to the taste of the beautiful half of humanity. They note the pleasant aroma and rich sweet taste of the drink.

Port wine of the Rose category appeared quite recently, but has already acquired admirers among young people. They appreciated his softtaste and fruity aroma. Also, many consumers use this drink as an excellent base for cocktails.

Ruby, Towny and Branko - low-priced ports are the most popular among Russian consumers. They do not require a special occasion and large financial investments. But, despite this, they are distinguished by high quality and pleasant taste characteristics.

Portuguese port wines of a higher category, such as Colheita, Late Bottled Vintage and, of course, Vintage are gaining fans among true connoisseurs of this drink. They are used on festive occasions and special occasions.

It is worth noting that the price of Portuguese port wine varies depending on the category of this wine drink. For example, it starts from one and a half thousand rubles for a bottle of Ruby and ends with several million rubles for a bottle of the Vintage category of a successful vintage.

The benefits and harms of port wine

The benefits of port have been known for a long time. With moderate use, it perfectly tones, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system, eliminates cholesterol plaques and has an antibacterial effect.

Port can also be used in cooking and is an excellent base for cocktails.

The harm of port wine is associated with the purchase of goods of inadequate quality or excessive consumption of the drink.

How to drink portuguese port?

Portugal wine can be used both as an aperitif andas a digestif. A red drink must be cooled to a temperature of +18 degrees before serving, and a white drink to +12 degrees. Port wine is served in a special decanter, from which it is poured into glasses.

What to eat Portuguese port? S alty and spicy snacks, chocolate, coffee, nuts and fatty cheeses are perfect for it. It is also quite acceptable to serve fruits, berries and desserts based on them.

Ruby, Rose and Tony ports are the perfect base for iced cocktails for beach parties and bar gatherings with friends. So we answered the question "What do they drink Portuguese port with?".