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Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Co, and Tinta Roriz are the main fragrant grape varietals used to make port, a sweet fortified wine from Portugal (also known as Tempranillo). Fortified wine, in contrast to other types of wine, is created by adding a distilled spirit, notably a grape spirit like cognac or brandy.
The Douro Valley in Portugal is where legitimate Port must originate, just as authentic Champagne must come from the designated wine region in France. In actuality, Porto, a coastal city on the Douro River, is where the word "port" originates. Even so, many wines marketed as Port wine may actually originate from other places, so always double-check that the label says "Porto."
Port wine is classified as a dessert wine due to its frequent sweetness and consumption alongside or after dessert. It's also delicious and can be served as a dessert by itself. Fortified wine has a higher alcohol content than conventional wine, and port wine has a higher ABV than the average glass of wine, which is closer to 12% alcohol (the standard in the US). Port is often only provided in small amounts, due in part to its high ABV.
Flavour Profile
Port is a sweet wine with notes of chocolate sauce, caramel, cinnamon, blackberries, and raspberries. A red port with more berry and chocolate flavours (and a little less sweetness) and a tawny port with more caramel and nut flavours are the two main types of port (and more sweetness). A greater range of delicate flavours, such as graphite, green peppercorn, hazelnut, almond, butterscotch, and graham cracker, can be found in older, quality tawny ports. For this level of complexity, look for wines that have matured for at least 30 years.
What Foods Go Well With Port Wine?
Those who enjoy cheese and decadent sweets usually appreciate port's ability to go well with a variety of cuisines and its wonderful capability to even serve as dessert. The type of port will determine the precise pairings. Tawny port goes nicely with sweet treats like pecan pie, cheesecake, or milk chocolate, as well as soft cheeses like brie. Dark chocolate truffles, fresh raspberries, fruit cake, and aged cheeses go well with the same kinds of desserts as a ruby port because of their robust berry and chocolate flavours. To produce a "port and tonic" or a "portini," white port can be substituted for gin.
