The Center for Wine Origins has declared Friday, January 27th, 2012 to be the inaugural International Port Day. And fortunately for those in the Nashville area, we were graced with the presence of Robert Bower from Taylor Fladgate this past Wednesday at the 1808 Grille as a lead into this inaugural day.
Port wine is a fortified wine traditionally from the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal and derives its name from the seaport city of Porto (which is at the mouth of the Douro River). It is fortified because an aguardente is added to stop fermentation, leaving sugar in the wine while boosting alcohol content. Because of the sugar, port is typically served as a dessert wine. It also pairs well with cigars as an after dinner treat.
The tasting at 1808 on Wednesday was divided into a "Ruby" room, and a "Tawny" room. For those who don't know, "Tawny" wines are aged in wooden barrels, where "Ruby" wines are aged in bottles. Generally speaking, "Tawny" wines are a bit sweeter starting at 10 years and becomes less sweet, yet opening up more as it progresses to the 40 year. They also have a distinct "nuttiness" from their aging in the wooden barrels. From high to low, my preference runs 20 year, 40 year, 30 year and then 10 year. Since "Ruby" wines are not altered by long exposure to air through the wood casks like it's "Tawny" sibling, it manages to keep its primary flavors and the aromas of fruit remain intense. It keeps its youthful ruby-red color with strong plum, blackberry, currant, etc on the nose. My favorites are Vintage 2000, Vintage 2009, LBV 2005, Bin 27 and the Terra Bella (Organic). The Vargellis was the only one I didn't try, but look forward to it one day.
If you've not tried port, I definitely recommend it. It is something that I am sure you will enjoy and want to learn more. If you want to get your start today, you can start with an inexpensive Tawny (Taylor 10 year), or Ruby (Fonseca Bin 27) and build up from there. But I can't think of a better way to celebrate the inaugural International Port Day!
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