Stock up on Port

by Kato on December 22, 2009 in Wine Picks with 3 Comments

ports4Pick a Port!

Port continues to be one of the great values in wine when you consider the age, flavour concentration and overall character of what you’re buying. Get some and celebrate the season, or any cold winter night.

The drink hails from the Douro River Valley in northern Portugal, where it gets hot as hell in summer so the grapes achieve huge ripeness. Port starts out as red wine but while it’s still bubbling in the tank, brandy is added. This kills the fermentation and establishes the nature of Port – a red wine with some unfermented sugars and a fiery kick. A sweet and strong wine. Treat it with respect or you’ll suffer the next day. I’m serious.

There are many label designations for Port – too many – but basically there are only two styles; dark, manly Ports known as Vintage-style, and pale, delicate, feminine, sensual Ports known as Tawny-style. Got that?

Ports labeled Ruby are young, sweet editions of the Vintage style – fun, everyday stuff. The Reserve designation usually means a mix of Vintage and Tawny styles. You see what I mean about too many Port names!

Best times: Some enjoy Port with cheese, fruitcake or nuts . . . but I say best without food.

Taylor Fladgate ‘First Estate’ Port, Portugal 309401  $15.75
Sweet, Ruby-style Port with deep flavours. A good everyday drink.

Ferreira ‘Dona Antonia’ Reserve Port, Portugal 157586  $22.85
The bold flavours of Vintage combined with the mellow, sweet character of Tawny. Take me to your fireside. Would be a great introduction to Port.

Graham’s 03 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port, Portugal 191239  $17.45
Huge concentration of flavours. Rich and exotic. Warms the body and soul.

Warre’s ‘Otima’ 10-Year-Old, Portugal 566174 $22.85/500ml
The Latin lover– charm and vigour. Sexy Port in a modern package.

Kato
Kato Wake is an entrepreneur – a creative thinker and a visual maker with over twenty years experience in the design business. She possesses strong communication skills and has managed teams and groups of many sizes. Creative, resourceful and curious by nature – Kato is an ideas person and a problem solver. She sees the big picture, the practical steps needed to achieve it and the means to do so. Experienced with both print and web, she is motivated by serving the client and communicating ‘their story’ – however it needs to be told. She has been involved in the restaurant and hospitality industry for almost as long as Billy – but hasn't drunk quite so much. Over the years, Kato has instructed hundreds of hospitality workers in 'the art of service' and has implemented training programs for several restaurants. Presently, Kato manages both the print and web for Billy’s Best Bottles (www.billysbestbottles.com) and has designed 10 editions of Billy’s Best Bottles annual wine book – which has been a Canadian best seller each year. She also designed Kathy Guidi’s book on Canadian Cheese (published by McArthur and Company) and is currently designing a breakfast cookbook for County resident Elizabeth Pulker. As Billy's 'right hand woman', she helps him conduct seminars is is the 'operations manager' behind the Wine with Life Tours. :)
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3 Comments on "Stock up on Port"

  1. Justin says:
    December 23, 2009 at 12:31 am

    A colleague of mine introduced several of us to the world of port while on assignment in Albuquerque, NM. The one he recommended to us most vigourously, and the one I loved most, was called Porto Rocha.. probably a 20 y/o Tawny… not sure.

    Is there any (and I mean ANY) way to track something like that down here in southern Ontario? I’m desperate.

    Cheers, and thanks for the massive resource you’ve created.
    Justin

  2. Gina Dalkin-Davis says:
    January 9, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    Hi Billy …. please advise a good wine for a dinner featuring the French dish, cassoulette. It will likely have duck breast, pork, beans, etc. Depending upon the recipe, may have a tomato base. Thanks. Gina.

  3. Kato says:
    January 10, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Cahors is the classic pairing. From the southwest of France. You could ask a vintages consultant for specific recommendations in the store close to you.
    You need a rustic wine. Cotes du Rhone or Minervois.
    On blog now is vintages release and there’s 2 good ones – the Rasteau and the Minervois.
    From the general LCBO La Vielle Ferme, France would be good.
    Hope this helps.
    Cheers.
    B

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