Port

[gilper]

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two types: vintage and tawny.


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Also Ruby, Colheita, and Late Bottle Vintage.

Vintage is considered the finest of the ports and is usually the most expensive. Grapes from one harvest aged two years in the cask. If the harvest is good then the port will likely become a vintage. It requires bottle aging.

LBV is grapes from one harvest aged in the barrel longer than Vintage and is ready to drink. Usually $15-25. Try the Noval '94 if you can find it. Also the Noval '97.

Ruby is a mix of grapes from several different harvests blended to achieve a consistent wine from year to year. Most affordable of all the ports.

Tawny is grapes from several different harvests barrel aged for longer periods, usually 10-40 years.

Colheita is grapes from a single harvest barrel aged for longer periods, essentially Vintage Tawny. Noval has a fantastic ’74 colheita that I highly recommend, about $80.

I recommend a LBV from Fonseca, Taylor, or Noval. The tawny ports will keep longer after opened. You can’t go wrong with a Fonseca 20yr.

Added specific bottlings