Port wine is a type of fortified wine that has been produced in Portugal since the 16th century and continues to be enjoyed around the world today. This sweet and robust beverage is made from indigenous grape varieties and is typically aged for several years before being consumed. The Portuguese region of Douro Valley is home to some of the best Port wines, with renowned brands like Sogevinus Fine Wines, Kopke Colheita, Burmester Colheita and Cálem Colheita all hailing from this region.
Sogevinus Fine Wines is one of the most awarded Port producers in the world, having won numerous awards for their Barros Colheita 1974, Kopke Colheita 2004, Burmester Colheita 2003 and Cálem Colheita 2003. Their Barros Colheita 1974 was awarded a gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 and their Kopke Colheita 2004 was awarded a platinum medal at International Wine Challenge 2020.
Sogrape Vinhos is another well-known producer of Port wines, producing two popular styles: Sandeman 40 YO Tawny NV and Sandeman 10 YO Tawny NV. Both of tese styles are tawny ports, which are barrel-aged for many years before being bottled. The Sandeman 40 YO has intense caramel flavors with notes of dried fruits while the Sandeman 10 YO has an intense nutty flavor with hints of ripe fruits.
Graham's is also an iconic brand that produces classic vintage-dated Port wines such as Quinta Dos Malvedos Vintage 2012 and Croft Reserve Tawny. Both styles have great complexity on the palate with intense fruit flavors and a long finish. Their Quinta Dos Malvedos Vintage 2012 was awarded a gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 while their Croft Reserve Tawny won Best Overall at International Wine Challenge 2018.
Cockburn's 20 Year Old Tawny Port has also been praised by critics worldwide due to its complex flavor profile and smooth texture on the palate. This port wine is aged in oak barrels for twenty years before being bottled, resulting in an intense nutty flavor with hints of dried fruit on the finish. It won Best Tawny at International Wine Challenge 2019 alongside Warre's Otima 10 Year Tawny Port which took home Runner Up Best Tawny at the same event.
There are numerous award-winning port wines produced by some of the best Portuguese wineries in Douro Valley such as Sogevinus Fine Wines, Sogrape Vinhos, Graham's and Cockburn's so you will have plenty to choose from when looking for your next bottle!
Types of Port Wines
Some of the most popular Port wines include Croft Reserve Tawny, Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port, Cockburn's 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Warre's Otima 10 Year Tawny Port, Sandeman Apitiv Reserve White Port, Taylor Fladgate Fine Ruby Porto, Dow's Vintage Character Port, Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port and Ramos Pinto 20 Year Old Tawny. Other well-known Ports include Ferreira Late Bottled Vintage Port, Martinez Lacuesta Gran Reserva, Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage and Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Vintage.
What Is Port Wine?
Port is a fortified wine from Portugal that has a sweet, rich flavor. It is typically made with the indigenous grape varieties Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão and Tinta Roriz (also known as Tempranillo). Grapes are harvested early in the season and then fermented with brandy to increase the level of alcohol beore bottling. The result is a sweet, ruby-colored wine with flavors of ripe fruit and hints of spice. Depending on the style of Port produced – Ruby Port, White Port or Vintage Port – it can be aged for up to 20 years in oak barrels before being released for sale.
The Most Popular Port
The most popular port in the world is Shanghai, China. Located on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is one of the busiest ports in terms of cargo throughput, handling an estimated 33 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2018. As a major hub for international trade and shipping, Shanghai boasts a comprehensive range of services and facilities to handle various types of cargo shipments. The port is also well-connected to the city's excellent transportation networks, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to move goods overseas quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
Port wine is a popular fortified wine from Portugal that has become beloved by many, due to its sweet, aromatic flavor. There are several different types of Port wines, including Tawny Port, White Port, Rosé Port, Ruby Port and Vintage-Dated. These all vary in flavor profiles, with some having hints of fruit and others having nutty or caramel notes. The best overal Port Wine is the Croft Reserve Tawny, while the best under $30 is Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port. The most popular brands of Port Wine include Sogevinus Fine Wines, Sogrape Vinhos and Graham's. No matter what your preference may be, there is a perfect bottle of Port for every wine enthusiast to enjoy!
