I loooove Port (and other sweet and/or fortified wines). I always pop a couple of different bottles during christmas. This year a 1970 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port along with some Stichelton and Colton-Basset Stilton. And a 1976 JJ Prühm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Trockenbeerenauslese that my uncle bought in the mid-80s and giften to me for my 35th birthday a few years ago. Two very impressive wines and great a time sharing these with a few wine loving friends.
Did you know that South Africa produces excellent Port-style wines? There is a region called Calitzdorp, where the best poducers are based, far from the usual wine-producing regions like Stellenbosch. De Krans and Boplaas are the big names. I opened a 1970 KWV Port (back then it was allowed to call it Port) with my dad for his 80th birthday last year and it was simply incredible at 54 years old. We had it with Gorgonzola. Perfect pairing.
Just came back from visiting. Went to Sandeman and did a tasting. Tried the 30 year Tawny. Was a great experience. In addition to the port, some of the dry table wine from the Duoro was amazing. I highly recommend the trip.
the beauty of Ruby port is that it helps new drinkers into the genre, because they have a particular sweet tooth. You can always use Ruby for cooking and is excellent in a reduction sauce
Firstly, you produce fun, enlightening, and entertaining content, your efforts are greatly appreciated! Secondly, with the negativity towards very sweet wines, I am very curious as to what y’all think about my favorite wines, botrytis wines like Sauternes/Barsac, Tokaji, and the like. I’d love to see an episode devoted to these non-port sweet “dessert” wines!
For your port combination.... try with foie gras. Fresh bread well toasted, nice slice of foie gras, vintage port, and maybe a little dark chocolate.... life is good
Port has a huge following here in the UK, at the rugby and when out shooting for elevenses, it's about tradition. Its traditional to have with a good stilton at Christmas. You can over complicate things, just drink and enjoy.
Just had the 1977 Graham Vintage Port over New Year's and it was absolutely fantastic. Definitely mature.... Really struggled pulling the cork and fortunately, we had the "Durand" that saved the day. Acquired the '77 Graham back in the 80's for probably around $25 !!!
Port is amazing, I have had some from the 60's and 70's. My favorites have been Smith-Woodhouse, Dow's and Warre's. Excellent wines, so lush and layered.
Loved seeing the family. It's nice seeing everyone can enjoy some wine together. On a another note, I'm surprised Pops or Stacy didn't have port tongs. I had one custom made for about $100 and they're great on old bottles with questionable corks and not just for Vintage Ports.
Loved the video!! Missed you all & was so excited to see this posted today 🤩 also loved the end will have to try that cocktail & all the family cheers to you! 🎉
I love port. Had a bottle of ‘83 fonseca over Christmas and it was great. Also have a bottle of 1935 warre’s to open next month for a birthday, looking forward to it. Hope to see more videos on sweet wines in the future as well!
Six Grapes is not anywhere near as bad as you’re making it out to be. I was actually quite delighted by the acidity when I tried it before Christmas. It’s important to judge wines for what they are, rather than what they are not. And what it is, is a pretty good example of the ruby style.
I was thinking the same. It’s one of the bigger challenges when wine tasting - is it a good wine of the type even though you don’t personally like that type! I struggle with Pinot Noir in the same way.
I have a few vintages of the 1968 taylor that I've been thinking was too young to drink. and I think that's half the battle with port is its prime is over 50 years -100 years old and nobody wants to wait! Glad to hear positive about 68... need to find a good opportunity to open. Did not know that 10/20/30/40 is just a taste profile!! interesting!
I’d agree, port is misunderstood and can be amazing. My favorite master class I’ve ever done was at Niepoort. I’ve a ‘65 Colheita from Niepoort that drinks like a much much younger wine. If you’ve can find one, Niepoort’s Garrafeira is stunning, super long barrel aging and 20 years in glass demi-john and then in bottle. And if you’ve not had any, VDN’s from Maury in Langudoc-Roussillon are spectacular too.
If you don't want a sweet strong fortified wine at the end of a meal - take it at the start. In Australia we typically will have a cheese or charcuterie board at the start of a meal as an appreitivo. Try it with Port.
Thanks for all your work in producing fun and entertaining content in 2024. Can’t wait until your channel blows up in 2025! So grossly underrated. Here’s to wishing you an amazing 2025.
Liked this video. Feel exactly the same about port; no ruby for me. Love the Tawny and for me the 20 year old is what we drink; perfect price/quality ratio. Actually, we even prefer Colheita port of about 20 years old. Thanks again, but now back to the special wines please 😊
Another great video, thank you. Bit disappointed you overlooked my favourite ports which are the Colheitas (tawny single vintage ports). Visited Kopke a few years ago and had some outstanding examples from 2000 & 2001, which had 21 & 22 years in barrel respectively. Outstanding examples of the tawny style. 😁
First, I've binged almost all of the videos (besides the madeira and seltzer vids). Love them. We went to Douro in June. Absolutely breathtaking there. Some really interesting dry red wines. Definitely a distinct terroir to them as well. The ports were pretty good though, like, for all of the reasons you said, wasn''t something I can see myself drinking a ton of, which isn't an indication of their quality. Some things just aren't for me. They're definitely trying to do new things with ports, encouraging cocktail making, etc to appeal to new demographics. I think that makes a ton of sense.
many of the port houses where founded by the Scottish not the English in fact the largest port shipper today are the Symington's going back to AJ Symington in 1890 who came from Glasgow . Great names such as Sandeman , Cockburn , Graham etc are all Founded by Scots . The first vineyard owned by a foreigner in the Douro was by a person named Archibald a native of Scotland , Alba gu brath .
I love Port. In your video I miss one of the most interesting Port brands, named "Kopke", of which I have several vintage bottles, and this wine is very very good. try it! ps. I drink port wine out of normal wine glasses, like one should with champagne aswell. more scents and flavors !
Fonseca and Grahams are the best selling ports in America. Why? Maybe because they are also the sweetest. That might be why I prefer Dow ports. I think Taylor-Fladgate is the best port house but the people from Noval would probably disagree. The Fonseca 20 year tawny is very good. The 30 or 40 year tawnies are too much money for me and the wines are often gentle, which is not my wheelhouse. I really like the Late Bottled Vintage ports as you get something very like vintage quality without paying the vintage price or waiting all those years. If you haven't explored Australian port wines, you have a real treat in your future. California also has some ports. There are all sorts of fortified wines in Europe that are not well known. Keo St John has been made for 800 years, and yes, that is quite a claim.
That is because most sherry drunk is "Cream" which is artificially sweetened "Oloroso". All sherry (except for PX) is made dry and if the dry styles were tasted more often the image of Sherry could be more appreciated.
I think saying that aged tawnys are not necessarily 10 year old wines on its own is misleading. Aged tawnys used to be made from wines with an average age of say 10 years but now for a 10 year old tawny the wines have to be at least 10 years old so will typically include some older wines but not now younger as they did before.
I doubt Port will be making a major comeback anytime soon. The wine industry in general is having to deal with reduced consumption, but I think Port is going to suffer more due to its higher alcohol and sugar content. Those are two things that health-conscious people are trying to limit.
If there’s anything I have learned about Port in my time in the wine business, buy from Portuguese family small producers, and avoid port with a British name. Better quality and better prices with a few exceptions.
I loooove Port (and other sweet and/or fortified wines). I always pop a couple of different bottles during christmas. This year a 1970 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port along with some Stichelton and Colton-Basset Stilton. And a 1976 JJ Prühm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Trockenbeerenauslese that my uncle bought in the mid-80s and giften to me for my 35th birthday a few years ago. Two very impressive wines and great a time sharing these with a few wine loving friends.
Did you know that South Africa produces excellent Port-style wines? There is a region called Calitzdorp, where the best poducers are based, far from the usual wine-producing regions like Stellenbosch. De Krans and Boplaas are the big names. I opened a 1970 KWV Port (back then it was allowed to call it Port) with my dad for his 80th birthday last year and it was simply incredible at 54 years old. We had it with Gorgonzola. Perfect pairing.
Just came back from visiting. Went to Sandeman and did a tasting. Tried the 30 year Tawny. Was a great experience. In addition to the port, some of the dry table wine from the Duoro was amazing. I highly recommend the trip.
the beauty of Ruby port is that it helps new drinkers into the genre, because they have a particular sweet tooth. You can always use Ruby for cooking and is excellent in a reduction sauce
Firstly, you produce fun, enlightening, and entertaining content, your efforts are greatly appreciated! Secondly, with the negativity towards very sweet wines, I am very curious as to what y’all think about my favorite wines, botrytis wines like Sauternes/Barsac, Tokaji, and the like. I’d love to see an episode devoted to these non-port sweet “dessert” wines!
For your port combination.... try with foie gras. Fresh bread well toasted, nice slice of foie gras, vintage port, and maybe a little dark chocolate.... life is good
Port has a huge following here in the UK, at the rugby and when out shooting for elevenses, it's about tradition. Its traditional to have with a good stilton at Christmas. You can over complicate things, just drink and enjoy.
Just had the 1977 Graham Vintage Port over New Year's and it was absolutely fantastic. Definitely mature.... Really struggled pulling the cork and fortunately, we had the "Durand" that saved the day. Acquired the '77 Graham back in the 80's for probably around $25 !!!
Port is amazing, I have had some from the 60's and 70's. My favorites have been Smith-Woodhouse, Dow's and Warre's. Excellent wines, so lush and layered.
I LOVE ❤ Port and I LOVE your Videos
The quality of your Videos is Top Top
best regards from the Moselle Germany
famous for Riesling
Well-timed, I was just thinking how I want to learn more about Port! Looking forward to watching this.
Loved seeing the family. It's nice seeing everyone can enjoy some wine together. On a another note, I'm surprised Pops or Stacy didn't have port tongs. I had one custom made for about $100 and they're great on old bottles with questionable corks and not just for Vintage Ports.
Off to the Douro valley in March, should be a fun weekend. Visiting Quinta Do Crasto and Vallado. Driving up from Lisbon.
Loved the video!! Missed you all & was so excited to see this posted today 🤩 also loved the end will have to try that cocktail & all the family cheers to you! 🎉
I love port. Had a bottle of ‘83 fonseca over Christmas and it was great. Also have a bottle of 1935 warre’s to open next month for a birthday, looking forward to it. Hope to see more videos on sweet wines in the future as well!
Great video, and a nice ending with cameos from both mor and farmor. Cheers!
Six Grapes is not anywhere near as bad as you’re making it out to be.
I was actually quite delighted by the acidity when I tried it before Christmas.
It’s important to judge wines for what they are, rather than what they are not. And what it is, is a pretty good example of the ruby style.
I was thinking the same. It’s one of the bigger challenges when wine tasting - is it a good wine of the type even though you don’t personally like that type! I struggle with Pinot Noir in the same way.
Greetings from Paris :) lovely video ! 20 year Tawny a great one
Lovely video! I myself am not the biggest fan of port, but super tempted to try the cocktail : )
I have a few vintages of the 1968 taylor that I've been thinking was too young to drink. and I think that's half the battle with port is its prime is over 50 years -100 years old and nobody wants to wait! Glad to hear positive about 68... need to find a good opportunity to open. Did not know that 10/20/30/40 is just a taste profile!! interesting!
I’d agree, port is misunderstood and can be amazing. My favorite master class I’ve ever done was at Niepoort. I’ve a ‘65 Colheita from Niepoort that drinks like a much much younger wine. If you’ve can find one, Niepoort’s Garrafeira is stunning, super long barrel aging and 20 years in glass demi-john and then in bottle. And if you’ve not had any, VDN’s from Maury in Langudoc-Roussillon are spectacular too.
Skål. Hälsningar från Finland. Cheers. Greetings from Finland.
If you don't want a sweet strong fortified wine at the end of a meal - take it at the start. In Australia we typically will have a cheese or charcuterie board at the start of a meal as an appreitivo. Try it with Port.
Thanks for all your work in producing fun and entertaining content in 2024. Can’t wait until your channel blows up in 2025! So grossly underrated. Here’s to wishing you an amazing 2025.
Liked this video. Feel exactly the same about port; no ruby for me. Love the Tawny and for me the 20 year old is what we drink; perfect price/quality ratio. Actually, we even prefer Colheita port of about 20 years old. Thanks again, but now back to the special wines please 😊
Another great video, thank you. Bit disappointed you overlooked my favourite ports which are the Colheitas (tawny single vintage ports). Visited Kopke a few years ago and had some outstanding examples from 2000 & 2001, which had 21 & 22 years in barrel respectively. Outstanding examples of the tawny style. 😁
They did taste the 1968 Colheita which they miscatagorised as vintage.
Awesome episode !!!
I love port. Try Benjamin Tawny Port…amazing value(Australian, not technically a Porto)
absolutely love port
First, I've binged almost all of the videos (besides the madeira and seltzer vids). Love them.
We went to Douro in June. Absolutely breathtaking there. Some really interesting dry red wines. Definitely a distinct terroir to them as well. The ports were pretty good though, like, for all of the reasons you said, wasn''t something I can see myself drinking a ton of, which isn't an indication of their quality. Some things just aren't for me. They're definitely trying to do new things with ports, encouraging cocktail making, etc to appeal to new demographics. I think that makes a ton of sense.
We need more videos more often.
I had a taylor 77 back in 2007 and it was amazing. Had it again in 2020 and it was just brandy at that point. even lost its color
many of the port houses where founded by the Scottish not the English in fact the largest port shipper today are the Symington's going back to AJ Symington in 1890 who came from Glasgow . Great names such as Sandeman , Cockburn , Graham etc are all Founded by Scots . The first vineyard owned by a foreigner in the Douro was by a person named Archibald a native of Scotland , Alba gu brath .
Very nice explanation 👌
I love Port. In your video I miss one of the most interesting Port brands, named "Kopke", of which I have several vintage bottles, and this wine is very very good. try it! ps. I drink port wine out of normal wine glasses, like one should with champagne aswell. more scents and flavors !
and the B teenage photos are great!!!!!
Fonseca and Grahams are the best selling ports in America. Why? Maybe because they are also the sweetest. That might be why I prefer Dow ports. I think Taylor-Fladgate is the best port house but the people from Noval would probably disagree. The Fonseca 20 year tawny is very good. The 30 or 40 year tawnies are too much money for me and the wines are often gentle, which is not my wheelhouse. I really like the Late Bottled Vintage ports as you get something very like vintage quality without paying the vintage price or waiting all those years. If you haven't explored Australian port wines, you have a real treat in your future. California also has some ports. There are all sorts of fortified wines in Europe that are not well known. Keo St John has been made for 800 years, and yes, that is quite a claim.
good stuff!
SKÅL! You should try som old white ports also like Bulas 30 year old or old Dalva Colheita
if anything is misunderstood these days I think it is sherry
I think that’s right! In fairness, for most palates sherry is tough to drink. Because it is sweet and smooth, port is a much easier share. 🎉
That is because most sherry drunk is "Cream" which is artificially sweetened "Oloroso". All sherry (except for PX) is made dry and if the dry styles were tasted more often the image of Sherry could be more appreciated.
Great video! Did we hear some Swedish there...
Norwegian.
Would have liked to see a bottle opened with the tongs.
Skål fra Norge 🍷
I think saying that aged tawnys are not necessarily 10 year old wines on its own is misleading. Aged tawnys used to be made from wines with an average age of say 10 years but now for a 10 year old tawny the wines have to be at least 10 years old so will typically include some older wines but not now younger as they did before.
Skål från Sverige!
I doubt Port will be making a major comeback anytime soon. The wine industry in general is having to deal with reduced consumption, but I think Port is going to suffer more due to its higher alcohol and sugar content. Those are two things that health-conscious people are trying to limit.
Yep, I think you're right. Same with Sherry, which I incidentily am just starting to explore.
Sauternes, Tokaj, Trockenbeerenauslese, Port, everything sweet is completely misunderstood and often times very much bang for your buck!
The problem with the 77 port is you only had it 10 years! You have know idea how it was stored before you got it
If there’s anything I have learned about Port in my time in the wine business, buy from Portuguese family small producers, and avoid port with a British name. Better quality and better prices with a few exceptions.
So is Jeff the Brother or B's husband?
I always assumed family friend or found cameraman. No way is he related - did you watch the end of this video!!! And he sure ain’t B’s husband.
Do you all use anything special for cleaning all your glassware?
dutch ?
Ruby port is mid. Tawny port when Aged tastes so good. White port best by far in right conditions.
This was informative but I am not with you on your opinion about ruby port. I would encourage people to spend time with rubies
The problem with Port is that having it once a year is more than enough.
Sorry, Port, not my thing... musty .
I wont wine trust anyone who says they like port😅