Real Port

[samiam2]

I tried Port for the first time this weekend. The only selection was a Taylor which I obtained both a Ruby and Tawney to try. Enjoyed the Tawney much more than the Ruby. SWBMA liked the Ruby except we found both very high in kick ass ability..A person could get falling down drunk on a couple glasses of this...Just a question? If the bottles don't have a date on it, is it considered a true Port?...TIA..

[jazznut]

Originally Posted by samiam2

Just a question? If the bottles don't have a date on it, is it considered a true Port?

If it comes from Portugal, then it's a 'true' Port. That's about all there is to it.

[samiam2]

Originally Posted by jazznut

If it comes from Portugal, then it's a 'true' Port. That's about all there is to it.

Ah, understood..what about if it's from say Californica, but says Port on the bottle..TIA Douglas..

[jazznut]

That does not, strictly speaking, constitute a proper use of the term, just as 'Champagne' cannot be used for sparkling wines produced outside of the traditional, delimited Champagne region of France.

This said, common usage of the term 'Port' on fortified wine labels has occurred through the years, most notably in the case of such wines from Australia and South Africa.

There's nothing to stop any winemaker from producing and bringing to market an excellent Port-style wine. But to call such a wine simply 'Port' is misleading, and begs the possibility of litigation.

[Black Plague]

"Port" isn't as regulated as other appellations of origin....but Australia and NZ do makes some awfully tasty tawnies for a very nice price!

[Black Plague]

[quote=samiam2;2299201]we found both very high in kick ass ability..A person could get falling down drunk on a couple glasses of this...quote]

You can thank the brandy that's added to it. It's added to stop the fermentation (retaining the sweet flavor from the unfermented sugars) before it's then barrel aged.

Another good thing about port is, if you're like me and struggle to drink through a bottle of normal wine before it turns into vinegar, most port has a decent shelf-life. I've had bottles of Australian tawny open for a month or more and stored at room temperature that still tasted good.

[Big Smoke]

Most notably Hardy's Whisker's Blake, which was my introduction to "Port", and still my favorite.

[jazznut]

As an alternative to Aussie 'Port', you may also want to check out Buller Fine Old Muscat, a deliciously raisiny fortified wine.

[casual]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

Most notably Hardy's Whisker's Blake, which was my introduction to "Port", and still my favorite.

Ditto!!! My favorite affordable port-style wine. Altough it has gone up a buck since last year, it still runs $14.99 here.

[rockace521]

Originally Posted by samiam2

I tried Port for the first time this weekend. The only selection was a Taylor which I obtained both a Ruby and Tawney to try. Enjoyed the Tawney much more than the Ruby. SWBMA liked the Ruby except we found both very high in kick ass ability..A person could get falling down drunk on a couple glasses of this...Just a question? If the bottles don't have a date on it, is it considered a true Port?...TIA..

I didn't read it elsewhere, but there are several different kinds of ports, many kinds actually, and generally speaking it's only "vintage" ports that are dated. In an especially good quality harvest year, a vintage is declared and then you get a vintage character port. Every year of growth does not merit a vintage porto, and plenty of years they just skip making the vintage portos altogether, as a way to preserve the meaning of a vintage year porto. Also you'll see "Late Bottle Vintage" (or LBV) that will come with a year model, those will come in years that are pretty good but not "Vintage Port" material. Outside of that, portos don't come with date labels.

Here is a randomly-selected Googling on portos:

http://www.worldshippers.com/port.html