When did you last sit down and enjoy a glass of port? If the answer to this question is never or hard to remember, then it’s time to spark or reignite your interest and explore the alluring world of these fortified wines this holiday season.
Port is traditionally a sweet fortified wine from Portugal, although dry versions do exist. To ensure the wine stays sweet, a neutral grape spirit is added during the fermentation process to stop fermentation while there’s still sugar left in the must.
The added spirit doesn’t impart any additional flavors on the resulting wine, meaning all the delicious aroma and flavor highlights come from the blend of grape varieties harvested for it, which often include Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Francesca and Tinta Cão, to name a few.
Because there is a spirit added in production, port wine alcohol content is usually higher than table wine – an average of 18-20% abv.
(Jacqueline Coleman for Biscayne Times)
The Douro Valley, where port vineyards are located, offers a dramatic landscape recognized as one of the most unique places in the world.
Port’s Magical Homeland
Anyone who visits the Douro Valley in Portugal, port’s birthplace, will certainly attest to the enchanting spirit that surrounds this very special category of beverage.
From walled terraces seemingly clinging to steep hillsides to the winding river banked by climbing rows of green vines, the Douro is one of the most unique wine-growing regions in the world. So unique that UNESCO has designated the Douro Valley as a World Heritage Site due to the remarkable intersection of what humankind has built and the incredibly dramatic landscape Mother Nature bestowed upon this region.
You don’t have to visit the Douro Valley and the city of Porto to truly enjoy the wine in your glass. However, those who have a chance to experience it should take full advantage of the opportunity to connect with the land and generations of people who, year after year, pour their souls into each bottle of port they produce
History Meets Modern Tastes
(Taylor Fladgate)
Taylor Fladgate’s 20 Year Old Tawny Porto is one of the most popular ports in the United States.
Taylor’s, known as Taylor Fladgate in the United States, was established in 1692 and is one of the oldest port houses. Despite many phases throughout the centuries, Taylor’s has remained independent and, just as in the beginning, continues to be a trailblazer in premium port production.
Some of the organization’s leaders, including David Guimaraens, technical director and head winemaker for the companies under The Fladgate Partnership, represent generations of leadership in the business.
Today, the partnership includes not only Taylor Fladgate Port but also the Croft and Fonseca brands, as well as hospitality ventures such as WOW, the Cultural District, and the iconic and luxurious Yeatman Hotel, located in Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from the city of Porto. Under the leadership of its CEO & chairperson, Adrian Bridge, the partnership’s brands make up one-third of premium port sales and are some of the most widely available and recognizable labels on our shelves here in South Florida.
Tradition is at the heart of port production, and traditional techniques such as foot treading are still very much a part of the winemaking process in the Douro. However, the industry has been adapting to more modern trends as demanded by an ever-changing consumer market. The Fladgate Partnership companies were the first to introduce Croft “Pink” rosé port and canned ready-to-drink port cocktails to the market as younger generations seek new ways to enjoy classic wines.
(Jacqueline Coleman for Biscayne Times)
Croft Pink & Tonic is a ready-to-drink cocktail made with rosé port and tonic.
Reflecting a commitment to history and heritage working alongside innovation throughout the port produced by The Fladgate Partnership, here are a few traditional and not-so-traditional ways to enjoy port this holiday season and beyond.
On Football Sundays...
Pop a Can of Port & Tonic
Here’s a new refreshing cocktail experience! Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry & Tonic and Croft Pink & Tonic are two ready-to-drink canned portonic cocktails that are perfect to enjoy in a casual setting. Made with Taylor’s dry white port and Croft’s rosé port respectively, along with tonic made in-house, these canned cocktails are sure to please even the toughest port skeptics.
$17.99/4-pack at The Golden Hog Gourmet Market on Key Biscayne
Get the Party Started With…
White Port, the Ultimate Refreshing Aperitif
Fonseca Siroco is an off-dry white port and a distinctive aperitif reserved for those who are truly in the know. Wow your holiday guests with chilled Siroco poured over ice and adorned with an orange slice for a refreshing opening to what will surely be a fun night. Fresh and vibrant, the bright acidity of this wine will entice the palate and awaken the senses as your meal’s opening act.
$19.99 at The Golden Hog Gourmet Market on Key Biscayne
For Thanksgiving Dinner...
Indulge With 20 Year Old Tawny Porto
Perhaps one of the most widely appreciated ports, Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Porto is a mature port with a blend aged in oak barrels for an average of 20 years. The flavors are complex and nutty with dried fruit characteristics and an elegant, elongated finish. This bottle is a celebrated addition to any table.
$52.65 at Mr. D Wine Merchant
For a Spectacular Gift…
A 50-Year-Old Wine
Taylor Fladgate Golden Age is a 50-year-old port and a unique gift for that special someone who has it all. It’s a distinct wine that’s stood the test of time as a blend spanning 50 years in oak casks. Its nuances of flavor and age will surely impress its recipient.
$379.99 at Total Wine
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(Jacqueline Coleman for Biscayne Times)
Winemaker Tiago Machado holds grapes that will be used in making port wine at Croft Port's Quinta da Roêda winery.
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(Jacqueline Coleman for Biscayne Times)
Fonseca Siroco white port is a pleasant holiday aperitif and pairs well with tapas.