PORT WINES WORLD
In 1756 Port was the first wine of controlled origin in the world.
The established vineyard area is defined and the parcels are classified according to a qualitative hierarchy. All production standards are precise. For more than two centuries Port has been one of the finest wines in the world. The grape varieties used for Port wines production are harvested in “Alto Douro”, northeastern Portugal. Port wine comes from a process called "fortified”, where is added a proportion of brandy at 76° (in a proportion of 15 to 20%) halfway through the alcoholic fermentation. Port wines are made from a wide range of traditional grape varieties, including “touriga nacional”, “touriga francesa”, “tinta barroca”, “tinta roriz”, “tinta amarela”, “tinto cão”.
In “Alto Douro” the soils are poor and arid, the subsoil granitic and the climate is rather warm with continental influences - very dry in summer and cold in winter. As a result, the berries of the grapes remain small with a very thick skin, which means very low yields. Given the organization of terraced vineyards, the harvest needs to be manual.
After the harvest, the grapes are destemmed and very often, trodden by foot and finally, poured into fermentation tanks for 2 or 3 days. Pumping-over frequently allows extracting color and tannins from skins. The winemaking process is the same than for traditional wines but the fermentation stops after brandy’s addition. By stopping fermentation, the added alcohol retains some of the sugars and this is why Port wines are both sweet and rich in alcohol.
Port wines are aged in casks or barrels. Because they are fortified, Port wines can remain in wood for much longer than most of any other wines. They can be aged in different ways and for different periods of time. This diversity is one of the most fascinating aspects of Ports. There are several types of Port wines that can be divided into two major categories.
OXIDATIVE TYPE
Oxidative Ports are wines matured in contact with air and wood. They are assembled according to a traditional method and a specific technique to each producer.
Porto Tawny - This is a blend aged for 5 years to 7 years. Porto Tawny is characterized by sweet and caramel aromas.
Porto Tawny Reserve - This port is aged for at least 6 years in oak barrels. Its maturation hides a bit the intense aromas of fruit and reveals oxidative aromas of dried fruits.
Portos Tawny with Age Indication - Tawny Ports with an indication of age (10, 20, 30, 40 years or older) are more complex and more concentrated. The indicated age is the approximate average of blended Port wines after aging in oak barrels. The aroma evolves towards the orange peel, the nut, the coffee or the chocolate.
Porto Tawny Colheita - This is a vintage Tawny Port, harvested from an exceptional year. It is aged for at least 7 years in oak barrels before being bottled. On the label is mentioned the vintage year and the bottling date. A smoother and less tannic Port is produced through maturing in a sealed glass bottle, which leaves no exposure to the air. Known as "reductive" aging, the color of the wine is lost at a slower pace. This kind of Port highlights the fruit and the terroir in which it is produced.
REDUCTIVE TYPE
Porto Ruby
The aging usually lasts less than 3 years before bottling. It is a sweet and fruity wine.
Porto Ruby Reserve
This wine is aged up to 5 years. Its fruit aromas are more intense and more complex.
Porto L.B.V (Late Bottled Vintage)
This variety of Port is aged for 4 to 6 years on oak barrels before being bottled. It is very sweet on the palate, with aromas of red and black fruits. More concentrated than Ruby.
Porto Vintage
Made from the best vineyards. After maturing for 2 years in oak barrels, the wine is bottled without filtration. Very rich in color, with tannins, fruit and acidity suitable for long aging. It is a powerful, racy, complex and deep wine. The wine bouquet is dominated by black fruits or berries associated with a black grape. Excellent vin de garde, at least 15 years old and up to more than a century. Note that this nomination is declared by Port and Douro Wines Institute.
WHITE PORT
White Port wines come in different styles depending on their aging time and sugar content, which depends on how they are produced.
ROSÉ PORT
Rosé is obtained through a light maceration of red grapes and when oxidation phenomenon’s do not occur during its conservation.