The Port Review

[VancouverMark]

I have a question about port that maybe some of you more experienced port drinkers could answer. A buddy gave me a bottle of port as a birthday gift. I have been hesitant to open it because my wife isn't a big drinker and I was under the impression that it was like wine in that it shouldn't sit around for too long after opening even if it is re-corked. Is port more like a spirit in that it can be resealed and live on, or more like wine and really should be finished within a few days after opening?

Thanks,

Mark

[mrtr33]

I have a question about port that maybe some of you more experienced port drinkers could answer. A buddy gave me a bottle of port as a birthday gift. I have been hesitant to open it because my wife isn't a big drinker and I was under the impression that it was like wine in that it shouldn't sit around for too long after opening even if it is re-corked. Is port more like a spirit in that it can be resealed and live on, or more like wine and really should be finished within a few days after opening?

Thanks,

Mark

Mark,

What kind of port is it? Tawny? Ruby? Late Bottle Vintage (LBV)? Vintage? Your vintage ports have sediment on the bottom of the bottle. They are usually more expensive, because the thinking is, they will age longer while they are in the bottom. Next down the price chain comes the Late Bottle Vintages. These have sat in their sediment a bit longer, and may have more refined tastes than the port that is poured off as soon as it's ready. Tawny and Ruby are two popular port varieties, though there may be others as well. Some aren't labeled anything, though I would think Vintages and LBV's would be used as a selling point.

To more directly answer your question, at our house, we try to drink a bottle of port within a month of opening it. This may be right or wrong. In most bottles we've opened, the taste of the port changes a bit over time. Sometimes they are very pungent on the nose but lack body in taste when first opened. After opened and corked, I've noticed a pleasant opening up after a time. I don't know that I'd treat a bottle of port like a bottle of liquor, where you could theoretically leave it on the shelf for a long period of time, but I don't think you have to drink it all in a few days. Here's an idea: in an effort to not eat as many sweets for dinner, we'll have fruit and/or cheese with a small glass of port. Just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth, and not overly-sugary.

Hope that helps. I am not a port pro. I just like the stuff.

[VancouverMark]

Mark,

What kind of port is it? Tawny? Ruby? Late Bottle Vintage (LBV)? Vintage? Your vintage ports have sediment on the bottom of the bottle. They are usually more expensive, because the thinking is, they will age longer while they are in the bottom. Next down the price chain comes the Late Bottle Vintages. These have sat in their sediment a bit longer, and may have more refined tastes than the port that is poured off as soon as it's ready. Tawny and Ruby are two popular port varieties, though there may be others as well. Some aren't labeled anything, though I would think Vintages and LBV's would be used as a selling point.

To more directly answer your question, at our house, we try to drink a bottle of port within a month of opening it. This may be right or wrong. In most bottles we've opened, the taste of the port changes a bit over time. Sometimes they are very pungent on the nose but lack body in taste when first opened. After opened and corked, I've noticed a pleasant opening up after a time. I don't know that I'd treat a bottle of port like a bottle of liquor, where you could theoretically leave it on the shelf for a long period of time, but I don't think you have to drink it all in a few days. Here's an idea: in an effort to not eat as many sweets for dinner, we'll have fruit and/or cheese with a small glass of port. Just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth, and not overly-sugary.

Hope that helps. I am not a port pro. I just like the stuff.

So I went to my wine rack and pulled out the bottle of port I have in there to find out what it is. It is the Fonseca Porto Bin No. 27 that you reviewed! haha

Any suggestions for storage after opening based on the bottle I have?

Mark

[mrtr33]

So I went to my wine rack and pulled out the bottle of port I have in there to find out what it is. It is the Fonseca Porto Bin No. 27 that you reviewed! haha

Any suggestions for storage after opening based on the bottle I have?

Mark

Somewhere cool, but not cold. In other words, don't refrigerate it, but if your garage is cooler, or maybe the floor of a food pantry. That's such a great bottle of port you have there. If you enjoy it, there are many other recommendations for different ports on this site if you search.

I just enjoyed a different port pairing last evening, and will be posting a review later on in the week.

[VancouverMark]

Somewhere cool, but not cold. In other words, don't refrigerate it, but if your garage is cooler, or maybe the floor of a food pantry. That's such a great bottle of port you have there. If you enjoy it, there are many other recommendations for different ports on this site if you search.

I just enjoyed a different port pairing last evening, and will be posting a review later on in the week.

Thanks! I have had it stored in a cool place (under the stairs away from light and excess heat). My wife is heading out of town Thursday for a few days so I may crack it open and have a cigar with it each night. Will it be fine to drink this bottle over a few days as long as I recork it?

Time to get some more firewood for the backyard fire pit!

Mark

[mrtr33]

Will it be fine to drink this bottle over a few days as long as I recork it?

I think so. You should be able to keep it for up to a month. You may notice a change in taste from when you first open it versus subsequent openings.

[Tdre977]

Just picked up my first bottle of port, Ferreira Dona Antonia reserve. It's hitting the spot after the huge meal I just had. Unfortunately I'm away on vacation and can't smoke in the hotel, and it's pouring up here in Maine.

It has lots of floral notes and is very woodsy. I can see myself throwing a lot more port into my rotation.

[WinstonSpencer]

I have a question about port that maybe some of you more experienced port drinkers could answer. A buddy gave me a bottle of port as a birthday gift. I have been hesitant to open it because my wife isn't a big drinker and I was under the impression that it was like wine in that it shouldn't sit around for too long after opening even if it is re-corked. Is port more like a spirit in that it can be resealed and live on, or more like wine and really should be finished within a few days after opening?

Thanks,

Mark

Everything mrtr33 said. Also, personal preference and experimentation come into play. Consider ambient temperature, alcohol, and sugar content also. In general, low temperature, high alcohol, and high sugar content tend to preserve wines.