The Holidays are here and its time to celebrate! We celebrate with family, friends, co-workers, strangers and it’s just that warm, fun time of the year. This is also the time of year when we are eating rich foods and decadent desserts — that was top of mind when I choose our featured wine for the month, Offley Tawny Port.
Port wine is a classic old world European wine that is technically known as a fortified wine. Fortified means that during the winemaking process, usually as the wine is fermenting, brandy is added. This makes the wine very rich, sweet, and smooth. Perfect for desserts at the end of a meal, which is usually when Port is served. Ports may also be served as an after dinner drink.
Today’s pour is a gorgeous deep burgundy color that has a hint of rose red around the edges. The smell is intense and you can immediately imagine eating it with a rich piece of cake or special holiday cookie. Remember, this wine is fortified so you can absolutely smell the alcohol along with the sweetness, but it’s not offensive. I tasted raisins when I took my first sip both in the store and when I tasted it again at home. I also tasted chocolate covered cherries (and remembered that cherry flavored cough syrup my Mom lovingly gave me as a child.) This is the type of wine meant to be sipped and enjoyed leisurely with fine desserts and good company. At 19.5% Alcohol by volume, it should be noted that a Port is usually served in small wine glasses. The bottle is meant to last! A good bottle of Port is also wonderful gift for that wine loving host or hostess during the holidays.
If you are daring enough to go out and buy a bottle of Offley Tawny Port, let us know your thoughts. Offley Tawny Port retails for about $12-14 per bottle.
Have you ever tried any Port wines? Please let us know in the comments section below.
