Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 The thread on Scotch (http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50073) got me thinking, are there any Port wine connoisseurs in CERB. I am going to assume that there are a few. I now sit here typing this thread, i am enjoying a bottle of Quinta Do Castelinho, 1997 Late Bottled Vintage. Personally, i enjoy LBV, as i try to avoid decanting a bottle for just my use. Some of my favorites include: Taylor Fladgate LBV (10 years), Warre's Otima (10 years), and Graham's LBV. One bottle i have difficulty finding is Graham's "six grapes". Dark, syrupy, sweet and rich port wine. I often enjoy a crisp, slightly chilled white port. Graham's white port is probably my favorite. Now, all that is missing, is a good cigar... What would be yours???? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winnipegcub 21293 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Mistert, funny you should mention Port. I tried a sip many years back and thought I hated it and never tried it again until. A Fav SP brought me a bottle of Warre's Otima (10 years) and now we share one everytime we meet. Become quite a traditional and fond memory for me that I don't think I would share a sip with anyone else. Cub Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog01 30280 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 From time to time I enjoy a good glass of Port after dinner or with a fine selection of cheese. On a recent visit to Portugal I did a port tasting in one of the many distribution shops that can be found in villages throughout the country. My choice is Andresen Porto (20 Year Old Tawny Porto), I save it for special occasions. http://www.jhandresen.com/PortWines_AgedPorts_RoyalChoice20.aspx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 160314 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Great thread. I've enjoyed various ports but without learning much about them. It's one of my resolutions for the New Cato. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted April 10, 2011 .. what is the difference between ports n regular wine... :) ??? sorry for being slow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 (edited) .. what is the difference between ports n regular wine... :) ??? sorry for being slow. Port wine is exclusively Portuguese (referencing the city of Porto) and is a fortified wine (19% to somewhere around 25% alcohol content) hence stronger than normal wine. It's aging process in Oak casks makes is sweeter in taste that red wine (for red port) and richer in flavour. At least that is the jist of it. For more info, you can look this link ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_wine Hope this helps, Sweetshay ... Edited April 10, 2011 by m*s**rt typo ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andee 220524 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Like Sweetshay, I was wondering about Port myself. I thought it was "that stuff old people drink". I guess I do learn something new every day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Like Sweetshay, I was wondering about Port myself. I thought it was "that stuff old people drink". I guess I do learn something new every day. It's no longer an "old boys club thing", by far ..... It is great after a meal, or on it's own, while lounging with friends. Hope you'll get to enjoy a glass someday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Thanks sooo much mistert!!! helps alot.. i will be checking out the link. xoxoxoxoxoxo yah!! for learning new things...!! :-D ohh another thing.. is it closer to taste like cognac?? or stronger?? i will have to buy a bottle.. :) will keep u updated hehe.. any particular one i should try??? Port wine is exclusively Portuguese (referencing the city of Porto) and is a fortified wine (19% to somewhere around 25% alcohol content) hence stronger than normal wine. It's aging process in Oak casks makes is sweeter in taste that red wine (for red port) and richer in flavour. At least that is the jist of it. For more info, you can look this link ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_wine Hope this helps, Sweetshay ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Thanks sooo much mistert!!! helps alot.. i will be checking out the link. xoxoxoxoxoxo yah!! for learning new things...!! :-D ohh another thing.. is it closer to taste like cognac?? or stronger?? i will have to buy a bottle.. :) will keep u updated hehe.. any particular one i should try??? Cognac is much stronger and sharper i find. Stronger in alcohol too. Port is sweeter i find, and not as strong. Richer in taste. Since you are still in Ottawa, try an LCBO. You can find half bottles. Or a full bottle for about 20 to 25$ or so. All are good to start, but look for either a Tawny of a LBV on the Label. I would start with Grahams or Taylor Fladgate. Try the red Port from either brands. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antlerman 17064 Report post Posted April 10, 2011 God, I love port.......but unlike kleenex......i do not know enough about it..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Porto Lover 159 Report post Posted April 13, 2011 For the Graham's "six grapes", try the SAQ in the Québec side. They usually have it... http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=57047&langId=-2&parent_category_rn=&top_category= For all the Lady's that want to try Port Wine, i can sacrifice myself with a few bottle in your companie in exchange of mutual favor... Hahaha... Cheer's... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 14, 2011 For the Graham's "six grapes", try the SAQ in the Québec side. They usually have it... http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=57047&langId=-2&parent_category_rn=&top_category= For all the Lady's that want to try Port Wine, i can sacrifice myself with a few bottle in your companie in exchange of mutual favor... Hahaha... Cheer's... True, but depending on which store, they go by very fast ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toine 30556 Report post Posted April 14, 2011 One advantage of the SAQ.com website is that it will list all Outaouais stores' current stock at once. For the Graham's six grapes half bottle, at $13, the SAQ by the casino 'as of now' has 16 bottles. The LCBO retails it for $11.45 but currently appears to be out of it in Ottawa-downtown, Ottawa-Nepean or Ottawa-Orleans... BTW, when searching on SAQ, look for PORTO (as in Portolover lol), not just PORT. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mutau 2516 Report post Posted April 14, 2011 Trying various ports is always a joy. Popping the cork, pouring a nice glass and then sitting back to relax and savour the flavours as you listen to mellow musice in the background. Ah, quelle vie! Over the years I have found that several pieces of a non-flavoured dark chocolate, slices or cubes of a sharp cheese along with olives and some crackers form a nice plate to perk up the taste buds as you sip your port. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andee 220524 Report post Posted April 17, 2011 Trying various ports is always a joy. Popping the cork, pouring a nice glass and then sitting back to relax and savour the flavours as you listen to mellow musice in the background. Ah, quelle vie! Over the years I have found that several pieces of a non-flavoured dark chocolate, slices or cubes of a sharp cheese along with olives and some crackers form a nice plate to perk up the taste buds as you sip your port. Wow, you have a way of making food and drink sound so enticing (and sexy). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest o*****24 Report post Posted April 17, 2011 When it comes to port, there are 2 that I highly highly recommend. 1 is a true port from Portugal. It's called Otima. It's a tawny style, 10 year old that is amazing. The flavours are hinted with both chocolate and cherries. The other is a port-style. The difference, it doesn't come from Portugal, but from right here in Canada. The name of it is Pipe, and is from the sunny Okanagan. Hard to come across out here...damn near impossible. For a "local" port style it's incredible. Again, a tawny, but a little more...je ne sais quois to it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog2402 2224 Report post Posted April 17, 2011 Another port with a Canadian link is Newmans, out of St. John's. Although I'm hardly a connoisseur, I do enjoy it! Here's the story: The origins of the practice of aging Newman's Port in Newfoundland dates back to 1679. According to tradition, in the fall of 1679 a Portuguese vessel loaded with port wine bond for London slipped its moorings. As it floated out to sea it encountered French privateers. The privateers drove the ship further off course and, in attempts to escape, it ventured out into the Atlantic. After weathering severe Atlantic storms, the captain decided to head for St. John's, where the ship stayed for the winter months. The cargo of port wine was safely stored in caves in the Southside Hills of St. John's. The following spring the vessel finally completed its long, arduous journey to England. It was soon discovered that the port that had over-wintered in Newfoundland had acquired a bouquet, a smoothness and a flavour that it did not have before. From that point on, Newman and Company decided to age its port wine in Newfoundland. The practice continued at the wine vaults on Water Street from the early nineteenth century onwards. The wine was aged in the vaults by the Newman's until at least 1893, possibly until 1914. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest s****i* Report post Posted April 17, 2011 Port and a cigar is probably my single most relaxing time. I recently had a white port I think Taylor Fladgate I didn't pay particular attention which was very interesting, sweeter than I was expecting with a Monte Cristo Open Eagle, a really mild cigar but it was still great. Sandeman Port also has some great tasting ones, I'm definately a fan. Also I prefer port chilled, anyone else prefer it that way or just room temp? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 17, 2011 Port and a cigar is probably my single most relaxing time. I recently had a white port I think Taylor Fladgate I didn't pay particular attention which was very interesting, sweeter than I was expecting with a Monte Cristo Open Eagle, a really mild cigar but it was still great. Sandeman Port also has some great tasting ones, I'm definately a fan. Also I prefer port chilled, anyone else prefer it that way or just room temp? Me, i prefer my white port chilled but not too cold. For the red, room temp or a touch under does the trick... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister T 45020 Report post Posted April 21, 2011 Some more info on Port wine : Port wine is a fortified wine made in Portugal's scenic Douro Valley. A fortified wine is a wine to which a neutral grape spirit (brandy) is added during the fermentation to halt further fermentation. This leaves residual sugar in the wine, resulting in an alcoholic, full-bodied, sweet wine. The wines are generally quite alcoholic, around 20% alcohol by volume. Other examples of fortified wines from other parts of the world include Sherry, Madeira, Marsala, Banyuls and Maury. Generally served with dessert or a cheese course, port is bottled in many different styles. Most basic Ports you find in basic markets are either Ruby ports or Vintage Character Port wines which are basically fruity, sweet wines that are ready to drink when bottled. The real deal however is Vintage Port, only bottled in the best years, which can be a tremendously complex and long-lived wine. Bottled after only a couple years, it is meant to be aged in bottle and good ones can take several decades to reach their peak. Another alternative is Tawny Port, which is instead aged in wood barrels for extended periods of time. Most are labeled as either 10 year, 20 year, 30 year or 40 year Tawnys which indicates the average age of the wines included in the bottling (they are generally blends of multiple vintages). They are called Tawny because of the lighter tawny color they develop as they age in wood, whereas other ports tend to be very dark purple or almost black. The older the Tawny, the lighter the color and the fresh, young, ripe fruit fades to more nutty complexities of aromas and flavors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rubintugger 3323 Report post Posted April 21, 2011 I'm ruined for port now. I started with Chateau Gai screw top port, bought a case when it was on sale for $3.95 a bottle (30 years ago). Thought it was great, and compared to beer and rye, it was. Then I tried a glass at a restaurant, actually from Portugal, with an actual cork in the top. Later that evening, upon arriving home, I got out my bottle of CG, unscrewed the top, poured a glass and almost choked! Someone had put kerosene in my port! Or so it tasted like. So my taste buds were ruined for the $3.95 bottle. Sigh. Then one day, after having stocked my shelves with $10-$15 bottles, I again had occasion to sample some port at a restaurant, this one had some Taylors LBV. At first sip, I could not believe the flavors. And upon returning home, found out that kerosene bandit had returned. I had to upgrade my selection to LBV. Then I attended a wine and cheese show. They were offering '63 Taylors at almost $20 a glass. One glass. Not $20 a bottle, but a 2 oz glass. Not learning my lesson, I ponied up the cash, and was given the rich, red liquid. A picture is worth a thousand word, and it only involves sight. Add to that the senses of smell and taste, and I'm sorry, there are just no words. Better than Sex, you ask? In many ways, especially the self indulgence of ones own personal pleasure... yes. I guess sharing it with a partner would have been even better, but it remains one of the sensory highlights of my life. And again, returning to my humble cabinet with my modest LBV's, well... at least it wasn't like kerosene... but life's colors just weren't as bright anymore... So now, when I drink Port, it is $75-150 a bottle, aged and decanted. Would I be a happy today drinking Chateau Gai (whose sparkling wines we had dubbed "The Ginger Ale of Champagnes) screw top port had I not been "ruined"? Probably. But that ruination led to me seeking out many other of the finer things in life. And for that, I am grateful. Bucket list includes a 1927 Taylors... I missed out on a tasting 20 years ago, the local liquor store had one with a cork that was unstable but hadn't been breached yet, and they decided to sell it in a tasting by the glass for $50 a 1 oz glass (the bottle was $1200). I signed up for it, but they didn't get the 26 they needed, so they cancelled. Two weeks later I was in, and the bottle was gone. I asked if someone had bought it, and they told me they had had the tasting on a spur of the moment when a wine club came by. I missed my shot that day, but I will have that before I die... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
