Looking for a Good Port

[pappymac]

I was into drinking good Port until about 5 or 6 years ago when I started having a problem with the sulfites that are in wines. Taylor, Dow, Graham, Sandeman and Cockburn are all good ports. Warre's are also good.

 

[jpmcwjr]

The oldest port I had was a '50, but that was in 1962, in the city of Porto.

 

[didache]

Something nobody has pointed out which may be useful for Port newbies. Port, like any wine, will oxidise when opened. Ruby and LBV will oxidise pretty quickly so it really needs to be drunk up within days or at least within a week or two. Tawny, on the other hand, has its Tawny colour because it has been aged in smaller barrels which 'breathe' and hence the wine inside is partially oxidised already in a slow and controlled manner.
For this reason, Tawny port will keep for a reasonable time on the shelf - for months if needed. This is why I would recommend a beginner to try Tawny first, because there is less pressure to finish the bottle quickly.
Another thing which might be helpful to know: the Portuguese often drink White Port with tonic or soda over ice. It makes a nice summer quencher.
Hope this all helps

Mike

 

[markus]

I ended up buying a bottle of Cockburn's Ruby Porto and a bottle of Taylor's Fladgate 20 Year Tawny Port. I intend to try the Cockburn's tonight after dinner with a bowl of Mac Baren's Dark Twist.

 

[markus]

Voorhees, I looked up the San Sebastian Port from your link, on Vivino and it scored an impressive 4.2 stars out of 5, which is pretty good for a bottle that costs $19.99.

 

[warren]

markthelad: You will be taking your evening pipe to a new level I believe. Enjoy!

 

[voorhees]

I looked up the San Sebastian Port from your link, on Vivino and it scored an impressive 4.2 stars out of 5, which is pretty good for a bottle that costs $19.99.

it really is.

 

[brian64]

Damn...now it's Port. Why do I keep looking at these threads?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-QYRITpXrY

 

[brian64]

Have you had a chance to try the Tawny yet Mark?

 

[johnbarleycorn]

I was inspired by this thread along with all the previous posts about port to finally try some. I picked up a bottle of Sandeman’s ruby port and if all port is THIS sweet I have just got to say it is really not for me. Do you guys all just like sweet drinks? I have been trying to like it but it almost turns my stomach. I had to have a glass of scotch just to get the taste out of my mouth.

 

[brian64]

^ That's good to know...because if it's really that sweet it wouldn't be for me either.

 

[warren]

It's port wine, sweet by definition. Not for everyone's palate.

 

[philobeddoe]

Ruby port is generally sweeter, tawny port has a darker, less sweet flavor.

 

[johnbarleycorn]

Wasn’t trying to be derogatory. And I knew it would be sweet (just not that sweet). And indeed everyone’s tastes are different.
Thanks philobeddoe that’s what I was wondering about.

 

[markus]

Brian64, yes at this point I have tried the tawny port as well as the ruby, it is a little less sweet than the ruby, and I like them both really well.

I think that the tawny might be inching up as my favorite of the two.

 

[brian64]

Thanks Mark & Philo...if I decide to try it it'll definitely be the Tawny. I don't normally care for anything that's extremely sweet, but the Tawny might be good for something different on occasion.

 

[woodsroad]

I'm a dry wine person, can't stand sweet. But Port is a different thing al together. The richness and alcohol content counterbalace the sweetness. It's dangerously good.

 

[warren]

Let us expand by not forgetting Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, etc. Any here old enough to remember: "Have some Madeira my dear." A wonderful Limelighter's air, referencing the seduction of ... a lady? Fortified wines are indeed the weapon of choice for disarming the ladies and not just for enjoying with a late night pipe. Multi talented libations all!

 

[mso489]

Hong Kong, Subic Bay, and Long Beach are good ports. Cameron Bay is not so good because of the sandy bottom where you can drag anchor in the tides. Also because of the swimmer sappers, but I think that's over. Midway Island is a scenic port but lacks infrastructure and I think there is no population there at all currently. I had to get onto the "any port in a storm" line. Hong Kong really is gorgeous, with a little mountain, Victoria Peak, overlooking the harbor and a cog railroad climbing up the Peak at about a 45 degree angle. There are floating restaurants in the harbor, and elderly women will scull you out there in little boats with a single oar. Ah, now that's a good port.

 

[sfduke]

Some California ports from Napa Valley are really nice single varietal ports. Recently found a great Zinfandel port.