What is Port wine?

What is Port wine

Port wine is one of the most iconic wines in the world. This is an irrevocable fact.

Nowadays, across the globe, it is possible to find bottles of different brands of Port wine distributed on the shelves of different supermarkets. But it was not always so. The history of Port wine has gone through different moments and, without a doubt, the beginning of international marketing, in 1678, gave new emphasis to this fantastic wine.

From1790 onwards, with the ease of navigability of the Douro River, some of the brands of great merit and extreme quality of Port wine began to appear on the market, whose grape production was carried out in the upper Douro and the aging of the wine took place in Vila Nova de Gaia. It was from then on that the reputation of Port wine was strengthened and consolidated. Some houses have stood out on this path, of which we can mention Taylor’s, the oldest Port wine brand still in operation to this day, with more than 300 years of history and tradition.

Made from the best Douro grapes, it is undeniable that this wine is unique and unmistakable: the climate, location, terroir and production process give it characteristics unrepeatable anywhere else on the planet. Nowhere in the world is it possible to make Port wine like the one produced in Douro, in Portugal, and, for that reason alone, it is a great wine. However, there is much more than that - there are all the flavors, the entire history, the entire journey of a wine, from planting the grape until the wine finally reaches the glass to be savored.

Douro and its grape varieties

Wine has been produced in the Douro region for two thousand years, making it one of the oldest and most beautiful wine regions in Europe. An interesting aspect about Douro is that, even though it is constantly changing, its essence remains unchanged over time.

Itis considered that there are around 30 grape varieties that can be used to make Port wine, but there are usually five to six high quality varieties used to produce the best wines.

As for the aging of Port wine, it can occur in two different ways: in wood or in the bottle.

Port wines that age in wood are:

•Ruby, Ruby Reserve and Late Bottled Vintage

•Tawny 10, 20, 30 and 40 years (or with age indication)

•Dry or Sweet Whites

Port wines that age in bottles are:

•Vintage

•Crusted

The aromas, flavors and “types” of Port wine depend on the aging process. And only the Douro and Porto Wine Institute (IVDP) can classify and recognize a Port wine.

From the origin

Port wine is made from grapes from the Douro Demarcated Region (RDD), a territorial delimitation dating back to 1756 and which is the first wine region to emerge in the world. This marking of territory arose to regulate the production of the fortified wine that we call Port wine, but today the RDD circumscribes the Controlled Denomination of Origin (DOC) of Port and Douro wines. It extends over 250,000 hectares, along the Douro River and its tributaries, between Barqueiros and Barca d’Alva.

Here there is a steep slope in the terrain and the almost non-existence of land and water. Therefore, cultivating vineyards in this region demonstrates man's great ability to adapt to the territory and optimize resources. To make the work possible, monumental terraces and levels are built, creating geometric and beautiful landscapes.

The grandeur and unique aesthetics of the Alto Douro Wine Region (ADV) landscape was recognized in 2001 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fortified wine

Regarding the production method, Port wine belongs to the fortified category. That is: it receives the addition of wine brandy during its production. This process fortifies the alcohol content of the wine and stops the fermentation process, killing the yeast in the wine. Depending on when this interruption occurs, andalso on the grape being used, the wine will be more or less sweet. Fortified wines are liquids with a higher alcohol content and great aging potential.

Typically, each style of Port wine is associated with a special moment, a gastronomic dish or a specific celebration. However, there are so many styles and flavors that, nowadays, we can enjoy a different Port Wine almost every day.

So, enjoy and toast to life. With Porto, of course!

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