Just found a joy of sipping port. I don't sip alcoholic beverages, but port ain't bad. Letting it breath a little brings up further flavors. Don't know anything about port. Any suggestions?
Any Port Drinkers?
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It’s hard to go wrong with the usual suspects—the big names like Graham’s, Quinto do Noval, Cockburn’s, Taylor, and Fonseca, have been around for a long time with good reason. They all have offerings at different price points.
I generally prefer Vintage Port when I can get it. About once every decade, a stellar year emerges—incredible vintages like 1955, 1963, 1977 are almost legendary (although those are probably now past their prime/peaks in terms of flavour).
@Chasing Embers gave you a great recommendation for a place to start. You might also check out some Madeira dessert wines, which are also fortified. Port and Madeira can be a deep rabbit holes, though.
I generally prefer Vintage Port when I can get it. About once every decade, a stellar year emerges—incredible vintages like 1955, 1963, 1977 are almost legendary (although those are probably now past their prime/peaks in terms of flavour).
@Chasing Embers gave you a great recommendation for a place to start. You might also check out some Madeira dessert wines, which are also fortified. Port and Madeira can be a deep rabbit holes, though.
I've had it a couple times over the years, most recently at a friend's house back in May. I believe the brand was Sandeman. It was unbelievably amazing, freaking fantastic through and through (in the interest of full disclosure, it was paired with a pipe). I could've guzzled the entire bottle...let's just say that he's of a slightly higher income bracket than myself, and that wouldn't have made the best impression. 
I am not very sweet distillates, but they are fantastic. Sometimes I put ice in it, to reduce the sugar. They say it is a good digestive, for after meals.
Instead of Port I occsaionally will have some Banyuls. It is basically the French version of Port...a rich, sweet, fortified wine. Unless you are in a city you will tend to find French products in France with a smattering of other offerings.
I’ll second those recommendations.
Graham's, Taylor’s, Fonseca, Dow’s, Warre’s and Quinta do Noval are always dependable.
Vintage ports are great, but need ageing. They can be enjoyed young, when they are at their fruity best. But a great vintage port comes into its own after at least 25 years in the bottle.
Tawny ports come ready aged - 10, 20, 30 years old. And ready to drink.
You may be lucky to find bottles of the rare 40 or 50 year old, but be prepared to pay.
The 20 year olds are probably at the sweet spot for drinking.
LBV (late bottled vintage) are made like vintage ports, but aged in barrels before being bottled. They do not need as long ageing as true vintage ports. They are excellent value.
Madeiras are without exception extremely long lived.
While it’s common to find 5, 10, and 20 year old expressions, I have had bottles over 100 years old in excellent condition.
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I used to enjoy Sandeman Tawny Port. Not the expensive ones either. Just the younger stuff. Sadly, my body does not process alcohol properly any more and I get extremely sick on one drink. Puts me down for a day. My doctor says my liver function is fine and that some people develop an intolerance to alcohol when they get older. I sure do miss my Scotch.
I don't understand much about this, but I found this in my modest cellar. I think I bought it in the north of Portugal. ![IMG_7692[13915].jpg](https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/data/attachments/333/333671-bd05ca339965a7a02f2b29fea89047bf.jpg "IMG_7692[13915].jpg")
Too sweet for me. I prefer Sherri from Xerez. Amontillado and Palo Cortado are my staples with an occasional Manzanilla.
Here in southern Spain, we have amontillado and palo cortado. It is less sweet, but cold it is very tasty. And it gets you easily, you have to be cautious, because it enters very well, but then, everything turns around.
Any Port Drinkers?
I drank a pile of Natty Boh's in Baltimore once, does that count?
I've drank a few glasses of fine port but for the life of me I can't remember the names that were on them. I could actually drink the port whereas wine is absolutely awful.
I friggin love port.
While I enjoy all styles my personal preference is aged vintage port. Due to cost and availability I don't enjoy it as often as I would like to however.
10 and 20 (and some 30) year old tawny ports are fantastic and widely available. I've never found 40 year old and most 30s worth the extra price especially when compared to an aged vintage port. Costco occasionally releases a 10 year old that is one of the best values you can find.
There are some really good ruby ports but they're sometimes hard to find vs they're not so good versions.
LBV ports are fantastic especially for the price. I by far drink more of this style than any other because of cost and availability.
If you like blue cheese I highly recommend trying it with any of these styles.
White port can be amazing but quality examples can be hard to find.
While I enjoy all styles my personal preference is aged vintage port. Due to cost and availability I don't enjoy it as often as I would like to however.
10 and 20 (and some 30) year old tawny ports are fantastic and widely available. I've never found 40 year old and most 30s worth the extra price especially when compared to an aged vintage port. Costco occasionally releases a 10 year old that is one of the best values you can find.
There are some really good ruby ports but they're sometimes hard to find vs they're not so good versions.
LBV ports are fantastic especially for the price. I by far drink more of this style than any other because of cost and availability.
If you like blue cheese I highly recommend trying it with any of these styles.
White port can be amazing but quality examples can be hard to find.
I love Port. I always have. I prefer deeper richer tasting ports. I am not nor have I ever been one to care about vintage, year, brand, aging, etc. If it tastes right, I drink it.
Look for the 40 yr old Van Zellers Tawny. Consider it a splurge. Deep, rich, utterly delicious.
In my opinion, it pairs best with a cigar. Had it recently with a huge Davidoff Royal, which was a gift from a friend in honor of his birthday! The combination of the port and the cigar blew me away. Truly.
In my opinion, it pairs best with a cigar. Had it recently with a huge Davidoff Royal, which was a gift from a friend in honor of his birthday! The combination of the port and the cigar blew me away. Truly.
I prefer ruby ports and if I could afford it, I would enjoy vintage ports from time to time.
LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) are my affordable preference. I love a glass of port after a memorable meal.
There's a great tradition of buying a case of vintage port when a son is born and giving to them on their 21st birthday.
LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) are my affordable preference. I love a glass of port after a memorable meal.
There's a great tradition of buying a case of vintage port when a son is born and giving to them on their 21st birthday.
Washington's Whidbey Island has a nice ruby, aptly named "Whidbey's," which i used to enjoy when i drank sweeter things.
Also used to make my own back in my wine/beer making days. I once made a black currant port ("porto corinto") that i used to trade my cable guy for popping the filter off my service every once in a while, so i could get all the channels for free. Also, a popular one with my cigar buddies at the time was a chocolate orange port i used to make. Other than that, i never was a huge tawny fan and my first mentioned offering is one of the few commercially available ports that i enjoyed rather regularly and is still in production. I'd recommend giving that one a shot. Pairs great with tobacco.
Also used to make my own back in my wine/beer making days. I once made a black currant port ("porto corinto") that i used to trade my cable guy for popping the filter off my service every once in a while, so i could get all the channels for free. Also, a popular one with my cigar buddies at the time was a chocolate orange port i used to make. Other than that, i never was a huge tawny fan and my first mentioned offering is one of the few commercially available ports that i enjoyed rather regularly and is still in production. I'd recommend giving that one a shot. Pairs great with tobacco.
Tawny drinker here. The Costco is not bad, sipping on some now as a matter of fact. I used to drink Whiskers Blake from Australia, a beautiful, true sticky, but I think it's gone downhill. It's still ok, but it used to be a great tawny for only $15, probably because it has no age statement. The KWV from South Africa is meh.