4 Styles of Port Wine That are Available in the Market in 2023

Port wine has historically been considered as an exquisite drink enjoyed by the royal class and the noblemen. Since then, port wine has been regularly consumed in almost all parts of the world, thus making it one of the most popular drinks across the globe. The main reason behind this is that port wines pair perfectly with different types of cuisines and foods. Also, since wine has some health benefits associated with it, their demand has increased further. Research Dive states that the global port wine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2031.

How is Port Wine Made?

Port wine is produced exclusively in the Douro Valley of Portugal and derives its name from the city of Porto, which is situated at the mouth of river, Douro River. Ever since wars and clashes erupted between England and France in the 15^th-16^th century, the supply of French wine declined considerably in Britain. This shortage in supply was compensated by port wine, which gradually became the go-to wine in Britain.

Port wine, like other wines, is made by extracting juice from grapes; harvested grapes are crushed using machinery or even foot and the juice, thus extracted, is fermented. Fermentation of wine is a long process wherein the grape juice is processed and stored in such a way that it turns into an alcoholic beverage. These wines are fermented in such a way that their alcohol content reaches up to 7% and sugar content attains ideal levels. Once the sugar levels are reached, brandy is added to it. Typically, this mixture is stored for about 2 years before release so that the wine “develops” perfectly.

Styles of Port Wines

One unique feature of port wine is that comes in different styles and flavors; its sweetness is derived from different ingredients such as berries, nuts, caramel, etc. Of all the styles available in the port wine market, 4 styles mainly stand out- Ruby Port, Tawny Port, Rose Port, and White Port.

1. Ruby Port

Ruby port is essentially made from the red grapes of Portugal and is, in fact, the most produced and consumed style of port wine. The most common flavors of ruby port are raspberry, chocolate, cinnamon, and blackberry. Even within this style, there are several types such as reserve ruby, crusted, and late bottle vintage. While reserve ruby is just premium version of basic ruby port, crusted ruby port is a blend of two to three vintage ports. These wines are released after storing in wine barrel for 2 years and in the bottle for 3 years. Late bottle vintages are stored in wooden barrels for 4-6 years after which they are matured in bottles before releasing. The ideal temperature to store ruby port is about 16 degrees Celsius.

2. Tawny Port

Tawny port wine is also made from the same red grapes as ruby ports, just that these wines have a “nutty” flavor since these wines while processing are exposed to oxygen which gives them this taste and amber-brown color. The most popular flavors of tawny port are hazelnut, cinnamon, fig, caramel, clove, and raspberry. Though there are many types of tawny port, Colheita is the most famous one. Colheitas are tawny wines that are stored in wooden barrels for at least 7 years after which they are filtered in bottles. The ideal temperature to store tawny ports is 10-14 degrees Celsius.

3. White Port

White port wine is produced from white wine grapes and is aged for a long time in wooden barrels so as to impart it its unique straw color. Also, in some cases, citrus fruits like lemon, orange, etc. are added while the wine is being produced which gives it a certain tangy-sweet flavor. There are two main types of white port, based on its flavor- dry and sweet. The most common flavors of white port are citrus peel, roasted nuts, sweet baked apple, and apricot. The ideal temperature to store white port is 6-10 degrees Celsius.

4. Rose Port

Rose port is relatively the most recently developed style of port wine. First released in 2008, rose port tastes similar to normal rose wine just that it is little bit sweeter than its basic counterpart. The most common flavors of rose port are strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, and caramel. The ideal temperature to store rose port is around 4 degrees Celsius.

The Bottom Line

Port wines, due to the different styles available in the market, go well with almost all cuisines- Spanish, Italian, French, Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, etc. However, these wines are best paired with cheese and smoked meat, as these items and the flavors of wine are perfectly complementary for the taste buds.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.