What the F is port wine?

Well, I've always asked myself what that actually was. Now I work in a liquor store, so maybe it's time to do some research, so I advise people and tell them what the F it is. 




So first of all, I knew it was a sweeter kind of wine and that you've a white and a red version of it. I know red port wine is great with old cheese, like 'Old Amsterdam'. The sweet and the salty really complements each other. 

Maybe you already knew that too, but I figured out that port wine is a amplified wine. The grapes are from Portugal, from the Duoro region. It's one of the most beautiful nature areas of Europe, so also got a new place to visit on my bucket list. They have Port wines of over 300 years old now in their cellars. Now you know where it came from, from the beautiful Portugal. 

But how is Port wine made and why is it so sweet?
Well after the fermentation of the grapes they add alcohol to it, so the fermentation stops at this point. The unfermented grape sugars stay behind, that's why it's so sweet and also why the alcohol percentage is higher than normal wine. 

But that's not all, there're also different kinds of Port wines. Say what? Yeah... 
Just like normal wines, there are a few different kinds. Well let me tell you what these are. 

Ruby
This is a Port wine that only matures a year in oak barrels, it's a very fruity kind of Port wine. Great with chocolates and soft cheeses. 

Tawny 
This one does have a more brownish color and tastes a little bit more nutty or more like dried fruits. On the bottles the mature years will be noted, how longer they mature, the more complex flavours you will taste. Great with desserts and creamy textured food. 

Vintage 
These are Port wines that ferment further in the bottle, a much rarer kind of Port wine, because they only will be harvested in one year of harvest and when the conditions are sublime. Mostly the bottled ones will ferment for a decade or more. Great to drink with chocolates and chocolate desserts, also to drink pure is a great pleasure. 

Late bottled Vintage
This one will mature 4 'till 6 years in oak barrels, after these years it will not mature in the bottle any more. Also like the normal Vintage Port wines, the grapes are only harvested of one year. The taste is a little bit spicy and dry. Great with chocolate and cheese. 

White 
These are made of white grapes and are fresher than the red ones. It will not mature for a long time and will be bottled very young. It can have a nutty flavour and mostly have a balanced soft and fresh tone.