Port Strategies

Port is a wonderful amazing elixir. I have had a long term love affair with port. The transition from unresolved baby fat of its youth to rich aromatic complexity in its old age is a truly magical process. It’s also an expensive affliction that requires patience as well, but that’s why you have a wine cellar, right? There are some strategies to get you close to the flavour profile of vintage port without a huge time commitment. Have you ever heard of Colheita Ports? My friend Roy Hersh at For The Love of Port has a detailed description here.Link

Colheita Ports are ports from a single vintage aged in wood (often 7-8 years). Don’t confuse them with Vintage Port which is also from a single vintage but aged in wood for a shorter period of time, 2 years minimum and 3 years max. While there isn’t much of either style available at any given time, Colheita and Vintage Port might represent 1% of port production each. It’s my opinion that Colheita ports can provide a stellar port experience at a great price point. The challenge can be finding them.

There is only one Colheita port listed by the BC Liquor Board right now. The Dalva 1982

Amber color with an orange tinge on the edge. The nose smells like dried dates, prunes and cinnamon. On the palate it reveals flavors of hazelnut, walnuts and nutmeg. Very fresh clean style of colheita, with a long dense finish.

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Pocas Colheita 1995 Is available from Legacy Liquor Stores in Vancouver Link

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Grape Varieties:

Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão

Food Pairing:

Excellent digestive wine. Splendid with cheese, pastry, sweets, nuts, light puddings and cakes. Ready to drink when bottled.

Reviews and Awards:

. 93 points in Wine Spectator Magazine;

. 16,5 points in Revista de Vinhos;

. Bronze medal Challenge International du Vin 2008;

. Silver medal International Wine Challenge 2008.

One of the classic matches with ports like Colheita are with a dessert combo of nuts          (walnuts and pecans) Blue Cheeses like Roquefort ,Danish Blue ,Gorgonzola ,Maytag Blue and Stilton, Mix in some dried fruit like dates, prunes or dried cherries and you have magic. Christmas cake chock full of fruit and nuts is also a great match.

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Also check out our Houzz Page for design ideas and planning. http://www.houzz.com/pro/winecellardepot/wine-cellar-depot

Remember Spit Happens, tell your friends, drink great wine and eat great food.

Cheers

David Lancelot