This week I think a fortified wine is in order. What’s a fortified wine? It’s one to which alcohol (typically brandy) is added so that the alcohol content goes up, the taste becomes more complex, and the wine is stabilized. Best-known fortified wines are ports. And best of the ports are ones that are aged. A favorite of mine is from Kopke, one of the oldest port houses in Portugal. Their 10 Year Tawny Port is oh-so good. It has received high scores and accolades from many wine publications and organizations. And it comes in a 375 ml size, so if you don’t indulge in port too often, it’s the perfect sized bottle.
Kopke’s own description of the port says it best, so I quote: “Tasting Notes: An appealing golden colour, with an amber rim. Elegant and complex, it shows aromas of spice, with prevailing notes of dried fruit and elegant hints of wood and honey. Smooth and round on the palate, it shows complexity amidst intense flavours of dried fruit. An excellent finish. Recommendations: Irresistible with a starter of foie gras with aubergine and walnuts. A great choice for an endless array of desserts, such as toffee brownies, chocolate and pistachio pavé, or crostini of walnuts with chèvre.”
Keep Calm and Wine On.
