A Glass of Port: Wine Culture in Portugal

Drink in more than the stunning scenery and incredible history during your visit to Portugal

Visit Porto, one of the wine capitals of the world, on our Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain itineraries.

What is Port?

Produced exclusively in the rugged Douro valley of northern Portugal, port is a sweet, fortified wine that is often served with dessert (which only makes it more delicious) or perhaps paired with rich cheese. Typically a red wine, white ports are gaining in popularity as excellent white wines are also produced in Portugal.

The history of Port wine is rather delicious in and of itself -- and the perfect taste of knowledge to pair with your Port wine know-how. Did you know that the traditional Portuguese Rabelo boats (a few of which can usually be spotted below Porto’s famed Luis I bridge) once transported wine down the river. Or that Portugal – while the only country to produce Port wine -- could easily give France or, in particular Britain, credit in helping to establish these delicious vintages. When England was at war with the French in the 17th and 18th centuries, levying high taxes on wines from Bordeaux – the British turned to nearby Portugal. Apparently, war is no time for Prohibition! Port wine – which derives its name from Portugal’s second largest city, Porto – became popular not only throughout the British Isles but also its many colonies. Especially in America.

A Range of Flavors

Port wines are beloved for their wide variety. Wine enthusiast Henry Vizetelly once colorfully wrote that “there are as many styles of Port wine as shades of ribbon in a haberdasher’s shop.” Indeed, this breadth of choice is part of the fun of experiencing Portugal’s many flavors. From youthful Ruby Port to aged Tawnies and distinguished Vintage Ports – the signature Portuguese drink features incomparable richness, complexities and strong aromas, a long finish -- on both the nose and the palate, and a high level of alcohol content (generally between 19 and 22% by volume).

The Port Process

Brandy fortifies Port wines before fermentation (unlike other vintages), capturing their fruit nuances and higher sugar and alcohol levels. Port is then pumped into large oak casks for roughly a year and a half of aging before being blended with other Port wines and then either transferred back to casks or over to bottles for further aging. Intense tannins and fruity flavors merge into a bolder velvety flavor, a blend in varying degrees (depending on the style of Port) of raspberry, blackberry, black currants, caramel, chocolate, butterscotch, caramel and nuts.

Wood-aged Ports are younger wines, their age sped up by contact with the air. Bottle-aged wines, in contrast, have almost no contact with the air and thus, take many more years to fully evolve. Vintage wines are typically best enjoyed 20-40 years after bottled. With wine, patience is an always-rewarded virtue!

Cheers to that!

Taste the best of Portugal's wine culture with a glass of Port wine during our Enticing Douro and Flavors of Portugal & Spain sailings.