What is a Port style wine and why does it matter?

The first recorded shipment of Vino de Porto to England was in 1678.  However, it was during the mid-18^th century that experimentation with fortification began to stabilize the wines well enough for the journey across the sea.  This was the period that modern Port began to take form.

Once it approaches the fermentation stage, Port goes through a process that distinguishes itself from table wine.  All ports…no matter the style that eventually emerges from the bottle are fortified with the addition of a distilled grape spirit.  This 180 proof, distilled grape spirit is added before the wine has fully fermented.  This is normally done when only half of the natural grape sugars have been converted into alcohol.  This stops the fermentation, preserving the wine’s natural sugars and sweetness.  This also increases a Port’s alcohol content to almost double that of table wine, usually between 19 and 22%.  Over the course of the winter and possibly for several years, the Port is stored in neutral or used oak barrels.  These barrels are sampled and tasted to determine how they will be blended.

 At Blue Sky Vineyard, we offer a wood-aged port, which is ready to drink on release.  Wood-aged ports are blended wines that are aged in oak barrels for their entire maturation period before being bottled.  These ports can be enjoyed the day they’re brought home with no decanting.  An unopened bottle will stay sound while properly stored for several years.

Our Norton Renaissance Port is a dense, rich Port wine with Blackberry, chocolate and cherry flavors. This wine pairs nicely with hearty dishes such as grilled pepper steak, and can complete a meal extremely well served with a chocolate structured desert or intense flavorful cheeses.

Kaleb Wilson

Cellar Master