A Guide to Port Wine for Newbies
Port producers in Porto
The perfect after-dinner sipper, not to mention aperitif, Port wine is a fortified wine made from grapes grown along the hilly terraces of Portugal’s Douro Valley.
Often reserved for special occasions and collectors’ cellars, bottles of Port can range from under $20 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the type and aging time. And as with any wine, there are varieties, from Ruby Port, with a few years of aging, to rarer Port aged for decades. Some bottles reveal fresh notes of red berries, while others have rich caramel and toasted nuts, but each is made from a selection of exceptional grapes from a single harvest. New to Port? No fear, we've reached out to experts to get the lowdown on each of the main styles you should get to know first.
What Makes Port Special?
Douro Valley vineyards
Symington Family Estates has been making Port in the Douro Valley for 140 years. Charles Symington, Head Winemaker, says that due to the region’s hilly terrain, every grape there must be harvested by hand.
Traditionally, all Ports were foot-trodden in granite lagares; however, since the early 2000s, many wineries have adopted mechanical lagares that replicate the action of the human foot, Symington explains.
Charles Symington, head winemaker of Symington Family Estates
“The aging process of the Port has also remained largely unchanged for generations. After the first winter following harvest, wines are transported from the Douro Valley to the city of Porto and aged in lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. The Douro is a continental microclimate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 35°C and winters dropping below freezing. By contrast, Vila Nova de Gaia offers a cooler, more stable Atlantic climate, ideal for slow, consistent aging,” he says.
The Main Styles of Port
Ruby Port
White Port
Tawny Port
Ruby Port
Eugenio Jardim, US Ambassador Vini Portugal
Ruby-style is a red or black fruit-forward Port. “Ruby Ports always aim to show bright, fresh red or black fruit, retaining their ruby red colours from ageing in large vats with minimum air contact and bottled very soon,” says Thomas Rogerson, Ramos Pinto’s Port Wine Blender.
Eugénio Jardim US Ambassador of Vini Portugal says, “At the entry level, Ruby Port could be dubbed a ‘user-friendly' Port because of its juicy qualities, softer tannins and food pairing abilities.” The perfect pairing is a nice block of chocolate, milk or dark.
Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port
Those interested in trying a Port should opt for a Reserve Ruby, thanks to its more affordable price point compared to other styles. Rogerson recommends its intense, award-winning Ruby Port. Another award-winning option is Graham’s Six Grapes Ruby Port with bottles starting as low as $15.
White Port
White-style is made from white grapes, dry and super sweet, and is bottled at any age. Younger Port wines are lighter and more refreshing, while those aged for longer are better for desserts.
“The flavors vary from white raisins, dried apricots and orange peel mixed with toffee, caramel and almonds. Because they are made from white grapes packing a good amount of acidity, these types of Ports tend to be lighter and fresher than their Ruby counterparts,” says Jardim.
Kopke 10 Years Old White
He insists that White Port is the greatest undiscovered aperitif; mixed with tonic, it’s an ideal way to start an evening. Rogerson agrees, saying it's made for anyone who loves a fresh, flavorful drink in the afternoon sun paired with a side of nuts or green olives.
White Port also comes with a variety of price ranges, like Ramos Pintos’ zesty, citrusy’ Fine White Port, starting at around $15 per bottle, to an unbeatable Quinta do Mourao 'S. Leonardo' 60 Year Old White Port for $700 per bottle. For something a bit more palatable, Kopke 10-Year-Old White Port is a sweet, amber White Port for less than $40.
Tawny Port
Tawny-style is oxidative and nutty, typically aged in wood. “The ruby colours will start to fade, giving way to brick orange or tawny shades,” describes Rogerson. “The fresh fruit will develop into crystallized fruit, with nutty or caramel flavours arising, and the mouthfeel turns rich and smooth.”
Tawny Port is Jardim’s favorite style of Port. “From primary fruit flavors laced with caramel and honey to dried fruits and brûlée crust to toasted nuts and old wood, you can get it all with a Tawny. Some may find it a bit too sweet for their taste, but I, on the other hand, think it is decadent,” he says.
Ramos Pintos Tawny Port
Rogerson says it pairs nicely with dessert and is often so sweet that it can replace dessert altogether. Best served chilled, if you have a serious sweet tooth, sip it alongside a nut-filled pie or dark chocolate tart.
Treat yourself to a bottle of Ramos Pintos Tawny Port for around $15 or Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny for double the price. As with all Ports, the longer it ages, the deeper and more complex the flavors and the higher the price point, like Graham's 40 Year Old Tawny, selling for nearly $250 a bottle.