Porto wine, produced with grape varieties specially grown in the Douro Valley of Portugal, is a world-famous wine with its unusual color and taste. During the first few days of fermentation, alcohol is added to the wine to stop the fermentation. Porto wines, which differ from other wines with their fermentation method, have a sweet taste and high alcohol content thanks to the method used. It is one of the wines that tourists visiting Portugal, where even special tours are organized for its famous wines, will not return without tasting. 

A Short History of Port Wine

Dating back to the 17th century, Port wine takes its name from the Port of Porto, one of the trade ports of the time. The wines obtained from the vineyards in the Douro region of today's Portugal were among the most delicious wines of the period. The biggest problem for the British, who were the main customers of these wines, was the deterioration of the wines during the long journey to England due to the long journey and the effect of the wavy sea. For this reason, Port wine producers developed a new method and wanted to extend the life of the wine by mixing brandy (a high-grade alcoholic drink) into the wine. In this way, they created the first version of alcoholic port wine. Today, the British are still the biggest buyers of port wine.

Types and Characteristics of Port Wine

Port wine is never consumed with food due to its sweet and intense taste. Usually preferred before or after a meal, the wine is consumed with cheese, various delicatessen products and desserts. Due to its high alcohol content, it is drunk more slowly and carefully than other wine varieties. Let's take a look at the types of port wine that accompany the special occasions of wine lovers with many different varieties.
1. Vintage port: The highest quality and most expensive type of port wine. The wines are aged for two years after production and at least 35 years after bottling. The year the wine was produced is written on the label and cork. You can choose products such as venison, brie cheese, dark chocolate, and almonds with vintage port wine.
2. Ruby Port: Ruby port, which has a dark red color and a fruity tone, is prepared by blending both old and new port wines. It is sold after 2 or 3 years of aging. It is preferred to be consumed with Gorgonzola cheese, chocolate mousse, or red fruits.
3. Tawny Port: Tawny, dark port wine with golden and brown tones, is produced with a longer rest compared to Ruby-type ports. Wines with nutty aromas are released to the market after aging between 10 and 40 years. Depending on its age, tawny ports can be consumed with different aperitifs and go well with Peking duck, creme brulee, and raw or roasted walnuts.
4. White port: Wines with flavors such as apple, citrus peel, and roasted hazelnut are aged for at least 7 years to achieve a straw color. White port wines made from white grapes are usually drunk neat. It is consumed as an aperitif with old gouda cheese, olives, and salted almonds. 
5. Rose Port: Rose-colored rose wines have strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, and caramelly flavors. The way it is prepared is similar to rose wine.

Wine Tours in Portugal

Wine tours, where you can visit the cellars of wineries where Portugal's famous wines are produced and stored, allow you to taste the best wines in the country. These tours, which cover wineries in certain cities in Portugal, also include various wine-tasting organizations. You can learn about wine production in the Douro valley and the rest of Portugal, taste the Portuguese wines of your choice and have a pleasant stroll through the wine cellars. If you visit Porto, make sure you spend enough time in this wonderful city and taste its famous wines.