Vintage Port is one of the world's most distinctive and ageworthy wines. Boasting a long history, the production of Port remains steeped in tradition today. Because of this stature, as well as the need to cellar Vintage Ports for two decades or more before they reach their peak, buying these consistently high quality wines requires a commitment on the part of the consumer-but one that is amply rewarded.
The release of the 2020 vintage, from a hot growing season marked by intense fruit and low yields, offers fans the chance to buy Vintage Ports that will mature a bit sooner than truly classic years such as 2017 and 2011. Though lacking a bit in terms of vibrancy and structure, the 2020s deliver a very hedonistic experience.
This is an ideal starter vintage for those looking to explore these unique wines, while loyal collectors will discover a few exceptional bottlings they'll want to add to their cellars.
Port wine comes from the Douro region of Portugal, upriver from the neighboring towns of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The oldest demarcated region in the world, dating to 1756, the Douro in many ways remains stuck in time. Temperature-controlled cellars and stainless steel vats didn't make inroads here until just more than a generation ago, and many wineries still work with old granite lagares for macerating the grapes and large used wooden casks for aging the wines.
Port is a fortified wine, born from the addition of a neutral grape brandy that is added very early in the fermentation, halting the process and locking in residual sugars. The timing and proportion of the brandy addition tends to be specific to each house, resulting in a range of styles, from full-on sweet to slightly drier, though all Ports are dessert wines and all check in around 20% ABV.
Vintage Ports from top years typically need three decades of bottle aging to show their best.
Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
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Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
