Introduction to Porto
Porto is one of the great classic European wines and its history is long and fascinating
What is port wine?
Port or port is a fortified wine.
Fortified wines are made by adding a quantity of grape spirit or brandy to the wine at some point during the production process.
Porto is perhaps the best of all fortified wines and its main expression, Vintage Port, is known alongside the best products of Bordeaux or Burgundy as one of the great iconic wines of the world.
The secret to the sweet taste of Port
In the case of port, the brandy is added before the wine has finished fermenting. This means the wine retains some of the natural sweetness of the grape, making it rich, round and smooth on the palate.
The birthplace of Port wine: the Douro Valley
Port wine is produced in the mountainous eastern Douro Valley in northern Portugal, one of the world's oldest and most beautiful vineyard regions where wine has been made for at least two thousand years.
In 1756, the Douro's port vineyards became the first vineyard area in the world to be legally demarcated. Like other great classic wines, port owes its distinctive character to a unique combination of climate, soil, grape variety and winemaking tradition. The Douro Valley's unique terroir and its remarkable wines cannot be reproduced anywhere else.
Vineyards on the steep slopes of the Douro River
The grapes, mainly of indigenous varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa or Tinta Barroca, are grown on the steep rocky slopes along the Douro River and its tributaries.
Many of the oldest vineyards, now classified as World Heritage Sites, are planted on narrow terraces supported by hundreds of hand-built stone walls.
The versatile styles of Port wine
One of the fascinating aspects of port wine is the variety of different styles.
Each has its own distinctive flavors: from the intense berry aromas of a Reserve or a Late Bottled Vintage to the rich smoothness of an Aged Tawny or the sublime complexity of a Vintage Port.
More than any other wine, port offers endless possibilities for pairing with food.
Culinary experimentation with Port
Traditionally, port is served with cheese at the end of a meal, as a dessert wine or as an after-dinner drink, although some styles, such as white port, can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.
Many creative chefs also like to pair port wine with main dishes, and it is one of the best wines to enjoy with chocolate or a fine cigar.
Port is considered one of the most civilized and sociable wines that makes any occasion special, whether it is a quiet evening by the fireplace, an informal gathering with friends or a sophisticated formal meal.
Classic vintage Port
Taylor's Vintage Port is one of the world's great iconic wines.
Vintage Ports are made only in the very best years - known as 'declared vintages' - and are assembled from the best products from the company's own estates, Quinta de Vargellas, Quinta de Terra Feita and most recently Quinta do Junco.
The selection of the best Port wines
After each harvest, the tasting panel selects the best port wines from the three estates, which are then aged in oak barrels for two winters.
The role of the three domains: Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco
In the second spring, they are tasted again. If found to be of exceptional quality, the port wines of the three domains are blended together, with Vargellas giving structure, elegance and complexity to the wine and Terra Feita and Junco giving body, depth and powerful, concentrated fruit.
The decision to declare a Vintage Port
At this stage, a decision must be made as to whether a Vintage Port should be "declared." For a declaration, the Vintage Port blend must be of outstanding quality: austere in its youth, with tremendous depth of flavor and massive structure, capable of developing over years, or decades, into that quintessence of great Port, a mature Taylor's Vintage.
The decision to declare a vintage Port
Historically, Taylor's declares only three Vintage years per decade.
Taylor's Vintage Ports are known for their massive structure and aromatic power, tempered by a characteristic understatement and restraint.
The decision to declare a vintage Port
Vintage Ports are the ultimate collectible port wines and can age for decades in the cellar, slowly developing the elegance and harmony that are the hallmarks of a mature Taylor's Vintage Port.
History
The first shipments of wine under the name Port were recorded in 1678. Although produced in the vineyards of the upper Douro Valley, the wine takes its name from the coastal city of Porto, from where it is traditionally exported.
Barcos Rabelos: the historic transport of Port wine
Until well into the 20th century, wine was transported from the vineyards across the Douro River in special boats known as barcos rabelos. The wine was then unloaded in the "lodges" of the port houses located along the narrow alleys of Vila Nova de Gaia across from Porto's old city center, to be aged, blended, bottled and finally shipped.
Port wine: a global favorite
Many of the oldest and most famous producers such as Taylor's, Quinta do Noval, Fonseca, Niepoort, Graham, Dow etc. Some are of English or Scottish origin, as Britain was by far the largest market for port wine during most of its history. However, port is now drunk all over the world.
Taste the authentic flavor of Portugal
Port wine as it should be: elegant, rich and with unique character. Discover our carefully selected collection, from classic Vintage Ports to sophisticated Aged Tawnies. Perfect for any occasion and easy to order online.
