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.
This story is from the February 28, 2023 edition of Wine Spectator.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 28, 2023 edition of Wine Spectator.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden
It sometimes feels like wine has a habit of falling into the briny deep. On July 23, Polish wreck diver and underwater photographer Tomasz Stachura announced that he and his Baltictech team had discovered the wreck of a 19th-century sailing ship near Öland, an island off the coast of Sweden—and it was crammed with bottles of Champagne and mineral water.
Openings: The Latest in Napa Tasting
Several new tasting options have opened in Napa Valley, particularly in downtown Napa where wineries are launching satellite tasting rooms. Standing out from the crowd means trying new approaches. Here are some highlights:
War in Middle East Affects Vintners
The 2024 harvest at Israel’s Dalton Winery was punctuated by nonstop rocket and drone attacks launched from just across the border in Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon.
Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court
Three Napa wineries filed a joint lawsuit in federal court in September alleging that Napa County officials violated their constitutional rights.
Savoring Persimmon Season
For many, persimmons are an enigma ingredient. Chef David Nayfeld of Award of Excellence-winning Che Fico in San Francisco and its Best of Award of Excellence sibling dangling persimmons off the tree with a stick at a childhood friend's house before realizing what they were. \"I remember his parents saying, 'Hey, don't hit the persimmons, those are food!\"\"
Tasting Plate: A German Six-Pack
Though it boasts Western Europe’s largest population and biggest economy, Germany is nowhere near the cheese juggernaut its neighbors Switzerland and France are. That said, the Germans love their fine cheeses, and they do turn out some excellent ones, fortunately including more than a handful that are currently available here in the U.S.
Gigondas Blanc Est Arrivé!
Ask winemakers in the Southern Rhône to name the most exciting white grape in their region and you will hear a growing number of them say \"Clairette.\"
Kistler's DARKER SIDE
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ups the ante at the house that Chardonnay built
THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE
THE REGION'S LEADING PRODUCERS DELIVER HIGH QUALITY AMID A DIVERSE RANGE OF STYLES
MICHAEL BATTERBERRY: 1932-2010 Gourmet, Journalist, Gentleman
Before Food Network, Top Chef or Yelp ... before the term “foodie\" ... before tomatoes were heirloom and sushi was fast food... back when fancy restaurants were always French... Michael Batterberry and his wife, Ariane, were working to celebrate and elevate the status of American chefs and international cuisine. Julie Mautner, Food Arts' former executive editor, looks at the life and legacy of her late mentor, affectionately known as The Bat.
