Port

[ravenhair]

Having spent all my life thinking I hated port, I had a glass of the stuff the other night and really quite liked it. I'd like to buy a bottle for the festive season but don't know what to buy. How much should I spend, what's the difference between tawny port and ruby port and are there any brands I should avoid?

[sddsddean]

Can't remember the exact differences between ruby and tawny(although I think one is redder than the other), just that I like them both! You can also get white port. In my opinion, unless you are a conessieur(sp), there is no need to splash out loads of dosh. I usually have the Tesco ports and they are fine. If you think you should have a better label for appearances, go for something you have heard of eg Cockburns.

[bluedolphin]

haven't tried it but am curious as to how it fits in. Can you go out on a night just drinking port? or is it an after dinner tipple? I remember the Sandeman Port tv ads years ago always around Xmas though.

[ravenhair]

I don't think you'd want to drink it all night - it's one of the worst drinks for hangovers, apparently. It's more of an after-dinner tipple. Anyway, thanks, both of you.

[Andromeda]

Ravenhair,

Tawnies are more mellow and browner than rubies as they are matured for longer (generally 2 - 4 years as opposed to less than 1) Rubies are sharper and fierier, quite a nice taste. I prefer rubies, and think that LBV (late bottled vintages) are the best buy - the taste of a true vintage port, reasonably cheap (A bottle is generally less than a tenner) and you don't have to decant - perfect! Try Taylors or Grahams as they are usually best.

Dolphin - You'd certainly not drink it all night - port is a very heavy drink, loaded with tannins which are the cause of the peculiar hangovers you get with red wine and such. trust me with this - never spend all night on port. It is not pretty in the morning (or the next morning, or the next .....) Nice for occasional drinking though. Oh, and is great as a depth-charge in a pint of guinness. Though the hangovers are worse.

Andy

[ravenhair]

Andy, what a star - thanks so much. I'll be taking myself off to Oddbins at lunchtime.

[Pinotage]

To add to what others have writ -Port comes from Portugal and is a fortified wine. That means brandy was added to it while fermenting which stops the fermentation, keeps it sweet and gives it a high alcohol level.
Port is relatively inexpensive nowadays as it has rather fallen out of fashion so you can get an excellent one for much less than an equivalent natural wine. You can have fun experimenting with the different makes and styles.
There are two main types on sale, wood matured and bottle matured. The wood matured Ports have been matured by the winery and are ready to drink. These would be Ruby, Tawny, Late bottled vintage (LBV). The bottle matured are sold with the expectation that you'll continue to age them, these would be Vintage and Crusted Ports.
Similar fortified wines have been made for centuries in other countries, such as South Africa and Cyprus but are no longer allowed to call their produce Port.
Port is in fact an English invention and came about as an accident as wineries tried to find ways of preparing their wines for the long sea journey to Britain so they didn't spoil. Portugal is Britains oldest ally and we were very grateful for their wines during the many wars with France which blocked French wine from England.

[ravenhair]

Thanks, Pinotage - you are a wealth of information about a subject dear to my heart . . .

[Andromeda]

Ravenhair - what alcohol?!?! Mmm, I think I have been inspired to buy a couple more bottles next time I pass the offie! Pinotage, thanks - you are as informative about wine as always.

[paulz]

Ravenhair - try it with a lump of stilton it's ace, also try the white port in summer, after it's been chilled in the fridge - bliss!