Port Wine – A Brief Guide for Travellers & Holidaymakers

1. In addition to sherry and Madeira, port wine has long been regarded as one of the best dessert wines in the world. But this drink is much more than just a digestif after a heavy dinner, as you'll discover when you try it. This dessert wine has flavours of raspberry, blackberry and caramel, cinnamon and chocolate. Sounds lip-smacking, doesn’t it? As an eloquent way to finish a meal, port wine is sometimes offered with dessert or a cheese plate. Want to savour this delicious wine in Portugal? Here's a brief guide on port wine for people who haven't had it before or just want to learn more about it. What is Port Wine? It is a fortified wine, known as Port which hails from Portugal and is widely consumed across many Portuguese regions and all over the world. Wines that have been fortified are those that have been processed with grape spirit, most commonly brandy. Port is a popular post-dinner digestif because of the natural sweetness that comes from the addition of grape spirit.

2. There are touches of chocolate, berries, and cinnamon in this flavorful concoction. Did you know? Only in Portugal's Douro Valley can you get port wine, which has been in the winemaking business for more than 2,000 years. A Brief History of Port Wine Because of rising tensions between England and France in the mid-17th century, the country decided to stop importing French wine. English traders went to Portugal in search of better variants of grape, and that’s how they stumbled upon the hot and dry region of Douro Valley. The Douro Valley's vineyards, on the other hand, were a long way from the city's commerce centre. Instead of making the long journey to Porto, merchants decided to ship wine out of the country via the coastal city, which is how port wine first came to be known.

3. Producers began adding brandy to the port to protect it from spoiling on the lengthy voyage from Porto to England, and this practice has resulted in the distinct flavour of the port that is still beloved today. Delicious and Prominent Types Of Port Wine There are various sorts of port wines, which change based on the length of time a port wine was aged and the sort of vessel/barrel/container used during the brewing and ageing process. The Ruby Port As their name implies, ruby ports feature a vibrant shade of red and typically have a fruity flavour with berry and plum notes. In oak barrels, ruby ports are matured for two to six years. The Tawny Port Tawny ports are matured for a lengthier duration in oak barrels than ruby ports. The longer maturing procedure in wood gives the wine a lighter colour, often amber or light brown, and helps it to develop more nuanced flavours with nutty and woody notes.

4. The White Port These port wines are made from white port grapes and stored briefly in huge barrels for ageing. They are normally served chilled, with dry and mild flavours, and are consumed mostly as an aperitif. Culinary Combinations with Port Wine Although it matches best with cheese and pastries, port wine can also be savoured with seafood and as an aperitif. These culinary combinations complement several types of port wine: Ruby port wine pairs well with dark chocolate, truffles, poached pears and dates. Tawny port wine: sweets containing nuts, ice cream, apple tarts, dried cherries caramel, creme brulee, parmesan or manchego cheese. White port wine pairs well with salted almonds, chips, foie gras, shellfish, olives, and charcuterie.

5. In general, ruby port wine goes well with luxurious and rich cuisine, tawny port wine pairs better with softer desserts, fruits, and acidic flavours, and white port is best served chilled with saltier foods. The Best Place to Savour Port Wine Visit the Douro Valley to witness magnificent vineyards and discover the region's extensive winemaking heritage. Take a spell-binding walking tour and sample a variety of culinary delights in Porto, followed by a delectable wine tasting. If you are taking a cruise to Porto, then you can take out some time to visit the small village of Vila Real and stroll around the gardens of Mateus Palace. Don’t forget to go for a wine tasting experience in the 16th-century cellars of the palace! Got all the information you need about Port wine? Well, there’s only one thing that remains – getting a Portugal Holiday Visa. Apply for a visa today and head over to Portugal to relish some of the best dessert wines in the world! APPLY FOR VISA NOW !!! VISA NOW !!! APPLY FOR