It is not always easy to choose between port and red wine. Each has its own flavour profile, production process and cultural significance so they are suitable for different occasions. Port wine is a sweet, fortified wine to be enjoyed as a dessert drink, red wine is versatile to be drunk with meals and comes in a range of flavours from fruity to robust.
What Is Port Wine?
Port wine is a sweet, fortified wine from Portugal, the Douro Valley. A distilled grape spirit, usually brandy, is added during fermentation which stops the fermentation and retains the natural sugars of the wine, hence the sweetness. Port is often served as a dessert wine because of its rich, fruity flavours and can range from deep red to tawny in colour depending on the age. Served in small glasses, port wine is perfect with cheese, chocolate or nuts and a favourite after dinner.
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What Is Red Wine?
Red wine is made from dark grapes and the juice ferments with the skins, seeds and stems which gives it its colour and tannins. The flavours of red wine can be light and fruity to deep and full-bodied depending on the grape and how long it is aged. Unlike port, red wine is not fortified so it is not as sweet and more versatile with food. Popular red wine varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir each with its own set of flavours and aromas.
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Difference Between Port Wine And Red Wine:
Production
Port is a fortified wine, meaning a spirit like brandy is added during fermentation and the process is stopped early to keep more sweetness. Whereas, red wine is fermented all the way, relying only on the grape's natural sugars without any added spirits. This difference in production gives each wine its flavour profile.
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Alcohol Content
Port wine has a higher alcohol content around 18-20%, because of the added spirits during fermentation. Red wine has a lower alcohol percentage around 12-15%, depending on the grape and region.
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Also Read: 10 Best Red Wines Of India
Flavour
Port wine is much sweeter and often has notes of dark fruits like plum, berries and chocolate, so it is a dessert wine. Red wine can be dry to sweet depending on the variety, with flavours ranging from light and fruity to rich and earthy and often paired with savoury dishes
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Colour
The port wine can range from deep ruby red to lighter tawny shades depending on the age. Red wine can range from bright, light reds like Pinot Noir to darker, fuller reds like Cabernet Sauvignon but its colours tend to stay within the red spectrum.
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Serving Size
Port is served in smaller quantities because of its sweetness and higher alcohol content, usually in 3-5 ounce servings. Red wine is served in larger portions, 5-8 ounces because its meant to be paired with a meal.
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History
Port wine has its roots in Portugal where it was first created to stabilise wine for long sea voyages, especially to Britain. Red wine has been made for thousands of years across different cultures, from ancient Greece to France, so it is a cornerstone of many cuisines.
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Pairings
Port is paired with desserts, cheeses and chocolates because of its sweetness and boldness. Red wine is paired with savoury dishes like steaks, pastas and even spicy food so it is more versatile for main course pairings.