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.

[nhcigarfan]

Port is a fortified wine: like Sherry, extra alcohol is added to push the alcohol content past the 12% that is possible through fermentation. 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.

I have been into port for about a decade now. I have never smoke a cigar with it. Personally I favor full flavored cigars and it would completely cover the port. I share Corona Gigante's opinion.

That being said there are fantastic ports for under 50 bucks. One of my favorite ports regardless of price is the Sandeman 20 yr. This stuff is amazing. If you want to supplement the experience try dry roasted almonds (not smoked) with the port. You will not regret it.

[Drake]

i tried some tawny port last week. tasted like jagermeister mixed with cane syrup.

[Amanda]

Sounds too strong for me. I'm a lightweight when it comes to drinking, not to mention that I have no interest in becoming drunk. When I do drink, I usually have one, and it's usually a daquerie (sp?), margarita or martini.

[Kenyth]

Dessert wines and Brandies go well with a cigar. I plan to try an Apricot brandy next. I still like Belgian Ale best. A word of caution. If you've never had Port before, don't drink a buch of it the first time. Strong wines like that contain a lot of sulfites and can cause a nasty headache in sensitive individuals.

[hex1848]

Whats with these old threads coming back to life?

I forgot all about this one. Its actually quite funny, Torano introduced a Port infused cigar at the RTDA, the Reserva Selecta Decadencia. I havent been very impressed with most of the flavored cigars that I have smoked. However, Torano has a way with making good cigars.

I wanted to grab one at the trade show, but Carlos said he wasnt ready for them to go out yet.

[MMAB]

Port has always been popular in my family ever since I can remember.

You don't have to spend a lot of cash on a good bottle of port. Of course if you want to you can just like anything else. But I think $20 to $30 can get you a respectable bottle let alone hundreds.