What Is Port Wine?

With so many wine choices on the market, you may be wondering just which type is right for you. Port wine is a common option that many alcohol drinkers enjoy thanks to its typical sweetness and dried fruit flavors. Just what is port, though, and where does it come from? Joe Canal's, your Lawrenceville, NJ, wine and spirit outlet, has the answers.

Where and How Port Wine Originated

The Douro River Valley resides in the northwest area of Portugal. It was there that the British created port wine. The city of Porto sits at the mouth of the river, which is where the name stems from. This type of wine is fortified, meaning an addition of brandy or other spirits helps to stop the fermentation process so excess sugar is left behind. It also helps to enhance the alcohol content.

Grapes grow wonderfully in northwest Portugal thanks to its climate. That is part of the reason this wine is so accessible in the area. It is often compared to brandy, although it has significant differences. For starters, it has a much sweeter flavor profile and is best served at room temperature.

Some compare port wine to sherry as well, although sherry comes from Spain. Sherry is also a white wine rather than the traditional red that port tends to be. It's important to note, however, that port wine may be white as well if white grapes are used. Port wine also can come in a tawny flavor profile that is nuttier than usual and a ruby port that combines several reds from different years.

Traditional Glassware Used to Serve Port Wine

Although you are free to pour your wine in any glass you wish, the traditional port wine glass is best suited for this type of drink. It is a bit smaller than traditional wine glasses, which helps drinkers limit their alcohol content. The average alcohol content in port wine is 18 percent, though it can fall anywhere between 16 and 20 percent. Many other wines have less than 15 percent alcohol content, making this Portuguese-infused option a stronger selection.

Port Wine Food Pairings

Certain dishes pair better with particular wines. Pair the wrong meal and drink and you won't experience the combination the way you intended. Because the wine itself is sweet, many prefer a savory meal to go along with it. Nuts, cheese, and even olives make a delicious snack to go along with your glass of port.

Other Savory Food and Port Pairings

If you have a white port made from white grapes, salty potato chips are a recommended snack choice. Others recommend having a glass of port alongside a surf and turf meal. The sweetness helps balance out the saltiness of the seafood and beef. A ruby port is a common choice with this plate selection.

Pork and port also pair well together. Whether you're enjoying brisket, pork slider sandwiches, or pork belly, port wine is the ideal choice for a drink.

Because ports are not always sweet, you can pair foods such as oysters, salmon, and sushi with them. A white port is best suited for this combination so the flavor of the food is not overpowered by the sweetness, as would happen with a red version.

Sweets and Port Pairings

Your other option is to pair your port with a sweet selection. Although the sweet-on-sweet mixture may be too much for some people, others will have delighted taste buds. A fruit pie or tart fruit is ideal. A white port is also delicious with chocolate-covered strawberries, which makes a great combination for a romantic, late-night snack.

Other chocolate treats also pair well, including brownies and cake. A tawny port is best for this. Any port goes well with ice cream, and sorbet creates yet another delicious union.

Popular Ports Carried by Joe Canal's

Port wine is a broad category that many selections fit into. When you buy a port, you are not just choosing the one option available. There are many options at Joe Canal’s. We offer many popular ports, including:

• Fonseca - Vintage Port 2016
• Quinta do Noval - Vintage Port 2017
• Dow's - Vintage Port 1994
• Taylor Fladgate - Vintage Port 2016
• Graham's - Vintage Port 2016
• Churchill's - 10 Year Tawny Port NV
• Cockburn's - Special Reserve NV
• Poças Junior - Colheita Port 1997

These are just a small fraction of what we carry, with plenty more choices on the list. We also pride ourselves on offering discounted selections as well as more prestigious brands. Our bottles of port wine generally range in price from $6.99 per bottle for a New York port to $399.99 per bottle for our oldest, single harvest 1961 selection. We truly have something for everyone. Joining our Bottle Club can help you save on your vintage wine costs.

Get Your Port Wine From Joe Canal's

With an experienced staff that's eager to answer your questions, you can rest assured Joe Canal's is an excellent port wine supplier ready to serve you. We offer shipping and delivery options, as well as curbside pickup, so you can get your wine supply as promptly as possible. Contact us when you're ready to get your port wine and spirits shipped directly to you from Lawrenceville to your New Jersey home.