Sandeman Porto Fine Tawny is indeed a type of port wine. As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can assure you that Sandeman Porto Fine Tawny follows the traditional Porto Wine method of production. This method involves several steps to ensure the highest quality and flavor in the final product.
Firstly, the grapes used in the production of Sandeman Porto Fine Tawny are carefully hand-picked. This allows for selective harvesting, ensuring that only the best grapes are used in the winemaking process. By hand-picking the grapes, any damaged or unripe grapes can be discarded, resulting in a higher quality wine.
After the grapes are picked, they undergo a process of stalk-removal and crushing. This step is crucial in extracting the juice from the grapes, which is then used for fermentation. By crushing the grapes, the skins are broken, allowing for the release of the flavors and aromas that are essential in the production of port wine.
The fermentation of the grape juice occurs under controlled temperatures. This is done to ensure that the yeast responsible for fermentation can work optimally, converting the sugars in the juice into alcohol. By controlling the temperature, the winemakers can also control the speed and intensity of fermentation, which can have a significant impact on the final flavor profile of the wine.
One unique aspect of the production process of Sandeman Porto Fine Tawny is the skin maceration. This step involves allowing the grape skins to remain in contact with the juice during fermentation. This helps to extract additional components from the skins, such as tannins and color pigments, which contribute to the complexity and depth of flavor in the wine.
Once the fermentation is complete, the wine is then aged in oak barrels. This aging process is another crucial step in the production of port wine. The oak barrels impart unique flavors and aromas to the wine, adding depth and complexity. The length of time the wine spends aging in the barrels can vary, with Sandeman Porto Fine Tawny typically being aged for a number of years.
During the aging process, the wine also undergoes a process of oxidation. This occurs as a result of the wine being exposed to small amounts of air through the pores of the wooden barrels. This oxidation helps to mellow the flavors of the wine and develop the distinctive characteristics that are associated with port wine.
Sandeman Porto Fine Tawny is indeed a port wine. It is produced using the traditional Porto Wine method, which involves hand-picking grapes, crushing and fermenting the juice, aging in oak barrels, and allowing for oxidation. The result is a high-quality wine with complex flavors and aromas that are characteristic of port wine.