Port?

[Corona Gigante]

Port is a fortified wine like Sherry. Brandy is added to the wine to stop the fermentation process while the wine is still sweet, fruity, and strong. This added alcohol pushes the alcohol content past the 12% that is possible through fermentation alone. Consequently, port tends to be very sweet and heavy. It will help to settle the stomach at end of a big meal. Port takes its name from the city of Oporto, Portugal. Although port-like wines are made all over the world, true Port is produced only in Portugal.

There are two kinds of Port, tawny and ruby. Tawny is drier and ruby is fruitier and sweeter. The two brands I see the most often are Warre's and Sandeman's. Warre's was the first English port house, established in 1670.

You can buy single-vintage and blended ports. The price of the single-vintage varies by both age and the year of production. For example, 1977 was considered a "classic" year and a bottle of '77 will cost more than a bottle of '75, which was only a good year, although a bottle of either one will probably set you back $100-$200. In contrast, a case of Warre's Late Bottled 1994 will cost you about $225.

Lots of good info, including a vintage chart, to be found here.

In eighties when I thought I was doing pretty well financially, I bought my dad a bottle of Warre's '75 for Christmas. I was lucky enough to enjoy a couple of glasses with him before he polished it off with his brother. It really was a unique experience, or rather several unique experiences one after another. It made for a very special occassion.

Good with a cigar? When you buy a fine port, you're paying for subtle distinctions in the flavour and aroma that might be obscured by a cigar. Try a glass by itself, or at least a cople of sips, before you fire up the stogie.