| The Douro River Valley which is located in the | | | | more of a pale color, which adds to more of a |
| northern part of Portugal is where the mixture of | | | | delicate flavor and creates a drier wine which |
| grapes is grown to produce port wine. The wine | | | | makes the wine more expensive for the bottle. |
| was made for shipping reasons and to some | | | | Where rainfall tends to be about 28 inches a year, |
| people's surprise reached beyond Europe and into | | | | which is very low for most counties, is where |
| the United States, Asia, Australian and several | | | | most of the high quality Tawny, LBV and Vintage |
| other places. Port wine for the beginner, is | | | | ports are made. |
| traditionally served as a dessert wine, it is known | | | | Do You Like Chocolate with Your Wine |
| for the sipping wine at home get-togethers and | | | | The years of association in various capacities that |
| after work outings. Port wine is different from | | | | I have with wine, I've heard numerous debates on |
| other types of wine because it has an higher than | | | | the issue, both for and against the rather |
| average alcohol content; the majority range | | | | contentious chocolate and wine pairing. Spending |
| between 19% and 22% by volume. The | | | | several years in a bottle helps the vintage port |
| ingredients and flavors added to the wine can | | | | take on the aromas of chocolate, cocoa and |
| make it a very sweet wine. The price points very | | | | coffee. Traditionally, Port is served with a strong |
| depending on the different styles of port wine | | | | blue cheese such as Stilton, or fruit and chocolate. |
| you like. | | | | Ports around the world are produced in a similar |
| Tawny Port Wines | | | | style like Champagne, but are considered fake |
| Tawny Ports are lighter in color, older, and | | | | Ports. While these pretenders may be somewhat |
| distinctly drier than Rubies. Tawny Ports, which is | | | | aromatic and flavorful, they fail to capture the |
| very similar to Rubies, have been know not to | | | | delicate balance between elegance and power of |
| improve with added bottle age and are | | | | a true Port wine. Remember that port wine is |
| remarkably stable once opened. The difference | | | | very flavorsome on its own and can be enjoyed |
| between a Vintage Port from one producer and | | | | for several different occasions. The best vintage |
| another is merely the difference in "house style," | | | | port wines will not reach their peak of maturity |
| in the same way that the style of a Brut | | | | for 20, 30 and sometimes even 40 years. Vintage |
| Champagne varies from one house and another. | | | | Ports, which account for only two percent of all |
| Tawny Ports are often served after dinner, either | | | | Port wines made. These wines age briefly in wood |
| alone or with desserts that are quite sweet like | | | | and then spend several years maturing in a bottle. |
| chocolates. Tawny Reserve port has been known | | | | While aging in wood, port wine's fruity scent |
| to age for a minimum of seven years in wooden | | | | develops through oxidation to make a bouquet |
| barrels, this is where it takes on a more nutty | | | | that is reminiscent of dried fruit, wood, and special |
| flavor. The older the Tawny becomes, it takes on | | | | spices. |