Vinho do Porto
Port wine is one of the most famous liquorish wines of the world, thanks to its unique taste and the its varieties for sale.
“Vinho do Porto” is produced in the Douro Valley, located in the eastern part of Porto, a city in the north of Portugal. It has been recognized as the only area where Porto can be produced since 1756.
This liquorish wine is produced only with grapes coming from the Douro Valley, whereas the working process to produce wine take place in Vila Nova de Gaia, a city located in the district of Porto.
Porto is obtained through the incomplete fermentation of the must, through a process that impede the sugars from transforming into alcohol. Thus they will remain inside the wine, giving the characteristic sweet taste. The alcoholic volume can be reached through the addition of the addition of pure alcohol afterwards.
The most used vine varieties for the production of the Ruby Port are the Tinta Cão, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz. For the White Port it is used Gouveio, Folgasão, Malvasia Fina, Donzelinho Branco, Esgana-Cão, Viosinho and Rabigato.
How to preserve Port wine and the right temperature to serve it
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The most popular Port wines are Ruby Port, Tawny Port Rosé Port and Vintage.
Ruby Porto has an intense ruby red colour, that is subjected to an aging of 4 or 5 years in wooden barrels, gaining its typical aromas of red fruits.
Tawny Port ages in large barrels just for 2-3 years, then it is moved to small barrels of around 550 litres. The more it came in contact with wood and air, the more it will have a clear and amber colour and taste of dried fruit.
Vintage Port is the most precious type, it is produced with grapes of a single year and subjected to a first aging in wooden barrels and a second aging on bottles that can last till 20 – 30 years.
Rosé Port is a rosé wine light and fruity.
It is important to preserve Port wine in a fresh and dark place, always at the same temperature, never cold.
As for the temperature to serve Porto, it can vary, according to the variety chosen.
White port is served preferable cold (8-12°C), whereas it is better to keep the other types at a variable temperature between 15-20 °C, apart from Tawny Port that can be tasted slightly cold.
To sum up, here you are the right temperature to serve Port wine:
Rosa Port: 4°C
Bianco Port: 6-10°C
Ruby Port:12-16°C
Tawny Port: 10-14°C
It is perfect alone, thanks to its sweetness but it is also perfect with desserts and cakes, but also cheeses.
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