Portuguese port wine - a unique high-quality fortified wine with a rich history, many varieties and unique taste characteristics. Currently, port from Portugal has many admirers around the world. All the features and origin of this wine drink are considered in detail in the article.
History tour
Many experts believe that the history of Portuguese port wine began thanks to the efforts of the Count and the leading military commander, Heinrich of Burgundy. He lived in the XI century in the county of Portucale and was engaged in the cultivation of vineyards. But the wines were still rough, red, dry and highly acidic.
In the first half of the 18th century, a momentous event took place. Unable to reach consensus, the two great powers - England and France - imposed sanctions on each other's goods. A ban on the import of French wines, which from ancient times were of excellent quality, was a severe blow to the British.
Thus, the British began to look for another wine supplier and turned their eyes to Portugal. After concluding a profitable trade agreement, Portuguese wine began its journey to England.
It is worth noting that in the process of transportation the wine deteriorated and often became unsuitable for consumption. Therefore, local winemakers began to add a little brandy to the wine. Thanks to this trick, the shelf life of the drink has increased significantly. Thus began the formation and development of Portuguese port wine from Porto.
Port today
Finally, the style and technology of manufacture of port was determined only by the end of the XIX century. Currently, this drink is a matter of national pride for all Portuguese. It is popular not only in Portugal, but throughout the world.
At the moment, the export of Portuguese port is well established, so it can easily be purchased at any alcohol market in our country. It is worth noting that port wine from Portugal has a category of name, which is controlled by origin. Therefore, the quality of this wine drink always remains at a high level and invariably pleases consumers.
Geographical position
Portuguese port is produced only on the territory, which was limited by the decree of the king in the second half of the XVIII century. The wine region begins near the city of Porto and stretches along the channel of the deep Douro River. Its area is limited by wooden pillars, which, as a historical monument, are happy to show tourists.
It is worth paying special attention to the fact that the complex mountainous terrain, changing climatic conditions, the presence of shale in the soils and landslide processes forced the Portuguese to artificially create conditions for growing grapes. That is how unique local landscapes arose with neatly delimited terraces that rise along the slopes along the river. Some of these vineyards grow at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level.
Manufacturing technology
Currently, the production of Portuguese port wine (Porto) is using modern equipment. Although some wineries still make wine drinks using traditional methods. To do this, they use a special vat with a depth of just over half a meter and crush the grapes in it with their feet.
The fermentation process of the resulting base product is no more than three days. After that, alcohol is added to it, the strength of which is more than seventy percent. The entire given cycle is performed by winemakers in a well-adjusted proportion, which has passed a century-old test.
Further, the resulting product is poured into barrels, where it remains for the whole winter. In order to avoid the accumulation of sediment at the bottom, the wine drink is periodically transfused into other oak barrels.
Then the resulting product is transported to the city, which is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean - Vila Nova de Gaya. Fortified wine is checked by technologists in its wine cellars and divided into types.
Previously, oak barrels with a future port were transported on a stormy river on ships, so as not to disturb the drink shaking on bad roads. At the moment, equipped and modern trucks are used for this purpose.
All port producers are required to strictly comply with the technology for the production of the drink, which requires that the port be ripened in oak barrels for several years and only then poured into bottles. Some types of port wine continue to develop in bottles. We consider the complete classification of the drink in the next chapter.
Types of Port
The classification of port wine is quite complex and contains many criteria. First, all ports spend the required three years aging in oak barrels. Then an experienced technologist monitors the quality of the drink and divides it into types.
Also, do not forget that Portuguese port is a product that is obtained through the so-called assembly - the process of mixing several wine drinks. Consider the most popular classification of port wine, which is based on the method of aging.
Barrel Port Wine
Tawny is the most common type of wine drink in Portugal. It has an amber color and a nutty aroma. This type of port wine is aged in oak barrels for more than two years.
There is also a port category marked Old Towny. They are a mixture of wine drinks that are aged in oak barrels from ten to forty years.
Colheita is a port that comes from drinks labeled Towny, but with a higher flavor profile. Fortified wines of this category are selected by an expert and later ripen under supervision. Colheita Ports are blended with only one year's harvest.
Branco is an inexpensive port, which is obtained from a young fortified wine and has a bright aroma of ripe fruit. It is made from white grape varieties.
Bottled Ports
Lagrima is a young wine drink made from white grape varieties. It differs from other types of port by its incredibly sweet taste with a pleasant vanilla aroma.
Rose is a recently appeared type of young port wine, which is distinguished by a soft pink color. It is produced from red grapes by very mild fermentation. This drink has a rich fruity taste and aroma.
Ruby is a low-cost young port that is made from red grapes. It has a bright ruby color and a strong fruity aroma. This wine drink is aged in barrels for a minimum period and then continues its development in bottles.
Late Bottled Vintage is a good-quality drink made from grape berries from one year's crop. It is aged in a barrel for three to six years and continues its development in a bottle. It has pronounced taste characteristics and a spicy aroma.
Vintage - this drink rightfully bears the title of the best Portuguese port. It is aged in an oak barrel for about three years, and then continues its development in a bottle. Before the expiration of five years of aging, this port has a bright ruby color and fruity aroma with hints of dark chocolate. As the drink develops, a number of changes take place in it, namely, the color changes, acquiring a golden brown hue, and the taste characteristics acquire complexity and saturation. This port can develop in a bottle for up to fifty years.
Draft Port
Unfiltered, or ports marked Crusted, have been hugely popular in the past. They belong to the Late Bottled Vintage category and are made by mixing fortified wines of one or several years of harvest without filtering. The bottle is aged for about three years. After this time, the port must be decanted, that is, rid of sediment and consume.
It is worth noting that, due to outdated technology, this type of port has almost ceased to exist.
Portuguese port: reviews
Currently, there are many types of port from Portugal, which are aimed at different target audiences and financial opportunities of consumers. For example, Lagrima port is to the taste of the beautiful half of humanity. They note a pleasant aroma and rich sweet taste of the drink.
Rose category port wine has appeared recently, but has already acquired admirers among young people. They appreciated its mild flavor and fruity aroma. Also, many consumers use this drink as an excellent base for cocktails.
Ruby, Towny and Branko - low-priced port wines are the most popular among Russian consumers. They do not require a special occasion and large financial investments. But, despite this, they are of high quality and pleasant taste characteristics.
Portuguese ports of a higher category, such as Colheita, Late Bottled Vintage and, of course, Vintage, gain fans among the true connoisseurs of this drink. They are used for celebrations and special occasions.
It is worth noting that the price of Portuguese port wine varies depending on the category of this wine drink. For example, it starts with one and a half thousand rubles per bottle of Ruby and ends with several million rubles per bottle of Vintage category of a successful harvest year.
The benefits and harms of port
The benefits of port have been known since ancient times. With moderate use, it perfectly tones, normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system, eliminates cholesterol plaques and has an antibacterial effect.
Port wine can also be used in cooking, and it is an excellent base for cocktails.
The harms of port are associated with the acquisition of goods of inadequate quality or excessive consumption of a drink.
How to drink Portuguese port?
Port wine from Portugal can be used both as an aperitif and as a digestif. Drink red color before serving to cool to a temperature of +18 degrees, and white - up to +12 degrees. Port is served in a special decanter, from which it is poured into glasses.
How to bite portuguese portuguese? Salty and savory appetizers, chocolate, coffee, nuts and fatty cheese are perfect for him. It is also quite acceptable to serve fruits, berries and desserts based on them.
Ports Ruby, Rose and Tony serve as an excellent base for ice cocktails for a beach party and a bar get-together with friends. So we answered the question "What do Portuguese port wine drink with?"