A glass of port works well before or after dinner.
While it is common in many countries to call any strong dessert style wine "Port," the only "true" Port comes from one place, the Douro valley in Portugal. Port is one of the country's best known exports, and it is savored all over the world. The name "Port" comes from the city of Oporto, an old center of port making.
What Is Port?
Port is a "fortified" wine. This means it has had additional spirits added to it. It starts out in fermentation as all wines do. But part way through the fermentation process, brandy is added to the mix. This does two things. First, the high alcohol content stops the fermentation, leaving some of the natural grape sugar untouched. This provides for a sweet taste. Second, it raises the alcohol content. Unfortified wine is typically 11 to 14 percent alcohol. Port is up to 20 percent. This makes for a much stronger, more fiery taste.
Sweetness
Most wines are "Dry," which means they have a low sugar content. The process of fermentation converts the sugar to alcohol; fermentation stops when there is enough alcohol created to stop the fermentation process. Various methods are used to create sweet wine that do not involve fortification. Water can be removed from the grapes by freezing them (ice wine) or letting them dry on the vine, (late harvest) or by infecting them with a fungus that dries them (botrytis.) Less water means a higher concentration of sugar, leaving sweetness in the wine when fermentation naturally stops.
Flavor
Ports take on some of the taste of the brandy that has been added to them. They can have touches of caramel, or smoke, or truffle. Port goes very well with strong cheese, as the strength of the flavor is not overpowered. Despite the popularity of wine and cheese parties, strong cheeses often overwhelm "standard" wine.
Why Port Is Fortified
Brandy was originally added to Portuguese wine to make it last during shipping. In hot weather, on rough seas, it was possible for fermentation to start over again. By adding the strong brandy this was prevented. At first this was a sign of cheap wine, but eventually the taste became popular.
When to Drink It
Port is usually consumed as a dessert wine, or as an aperitif before dinner. It does not normally accompany the main course, unlike regular wine.
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