2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Porto is a fortified liqueur wine typical of Portugal. The drink is also popularly known as Port Wine. It is prepared in the northeastern part of the country and more precisely in the valley of the Duro River. It has a golden to caramel color.
History of Porto
Porto is a wine with a rich history. Its origins are unexpectedly associated with England. The English like French wines, but due to coincidences they reveal the charm of Portuguese wines. In the second half of the seventeenth century in the monastery of Lamego, located about ninety kilometers from the city of Porto, a clergyman entertained English merchants with a pleasant and fragrant red wine, which was also very sweet. The guests liked the drink very much and they inquired about its origin. Then the clergyman revealed the secret of his qualities. Before the wine was fully fermented, wine distillate was added.
However, the product had to be transported to England without losing its charm along the way. Therefore, it was decided to add a small amount of brandy to stabilize it. Thus, the wine drink became stronger and even sweeter. Interestingly, the place where the impressive wine is made is the first classified wine region in the world. To date, wine is produced in several countries, but true connoisseurs are adamant that authentic wine can only be made in northeastern Portugal.
Porto production
Over the years the production of Porto wine has changed slightly. This is mainly due to the advent of modern technology. However, there are winemakers who try to stick to tradition. For example, they still crush the fruit with their feet, and this process takes place in special baths. Then comes the turn of fermentation. The process takes up to three days. When half of the natural grape sugar has been transformed into alcohol, more alcohol is added. The wine must then be aged in oak barrels.
A very important point here is the repeated movement of the material, which is done to release the sediment. Only French, Portuguese or American barrels are used to age the wine. The wine is left to age between 3 and 6 years. This period is monitored by a special law. It is important because, thanks to aging, the high tannin content of the wine is balanced.
Port characteristics
Porto is a wine that cannot be forgotten, even if tasted only once. As already mentioned, its color is dark golden. However, the variety made from white grapes is colored white. Porto is characterized by a delicate, balanced and refined taste.
When drunk, you can feel different fruit notes, reminiscent of strawberries, peaches, pineapple. There are also some shades of honey. The whole richness and fullness of the drink is due to the fact that it produces more than fifteen different wines. Thus we get a fresh, sweet wine with a rich but at the same time soft taste. The alcohol content of the drink is usually between 19 and 22 percent.
Types of port
Several varieties of are known Porto wine. It differs in age, with two varieties - Porto, aged before bottling, and Porto, aged after bottling.
A port that more people can afford is the so-called Ruby Port. It is a relatively young drink, which is prepared from less selected crops. It is launched on the market in about three years.
The most luxurious port wines are called Tawny Ports. They are preferred because they have no sediment. Another highly valued variety is the Colheita Port. Here we have wine made from grapes from one vintage. It is aged in barrels for at least eight years before bottling.
Connoisseurs are also familiar with Vintage Port, where we have wine produced with material from very good vineyards. It needs about two decades to show its full potential.
White Port is also known. The composition of this variety includes white grapes. This wine is distinguished by its yellowish color. It is dry or sweet.
Port storage
Like the other wines port should be stored in a cool, dark place. Recall that storing wine in the refrigerator is considered a gross mistake. It is enough to put it in a basement, warehouse or room that is not heated. If the wine is not open, it can be placed lying down. However, when it opens, it must stand upright.
Serving port
Before serving port wine should be slightly cooled. The different varieties are cooled between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. As a Tawny port, it is served a little cooler. When serving port, of course, we can pour it into a classic wine glass, but we can still use special glasses for port. They have it with medium volume, upright chair and very delicate curves. The port cup expands only visibly in its lower part, and in the area next to the chair it shrinks. The area towards the throat is also barely narrowed.
As for the foods with which to combine wine, you have a wide choice. The dark varieties of port are served at the end of the evening, especially those that have matured longer. They are combined with various desserts or savory biscuits. A suitable combination with wine is a dessert with dark chocolate. Some gourmets boldly combine them with nuts and cheeses, including cheddar and blue cheese.
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