Port: the ultimate Christmas drink
When the Christmas dinner plates are cleared, the fire’s lit, the chocolate boxes have started doing the rounds and everyone’s settling in for a lazy Christmas evening, there’s nothing like the gentle, comforting pop of a well-chosen bottle of port.
Whether it’s accompanying mince pies and a generous helping of stilton, or simply an indulgent glassful to slowly sip through the evening, it’s the ultimate wine when it comes to richness and comforting warmth.
But so often it’s seen as one homogenous style, when in fact one of the joys of good Port is just how deliciously diverse it can be – and how many surprising ways there are to enjoy it, from inky-dark, opulent Vintage Port, to complex, oak-aged Tawny Ports, rippling with chopped nuts and sultana fruit.
So we’ve put together this handy guide to all things port. Styles, flavours, serving temperatures and how to get the most out of that special bottle. Have a read and pick out your favourite for Christmas indulgence. You’ll love it so much you’ll be drinking it all year round.
Cockburn’s Fine Ruby – the fruity one
This is the perfect route into port. A fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing style that delivers all the bold, dark fruit flavours that make the drink so irresistible. Aged just three years in oak before release, this is much more about those joyful, juicy, berry and cherry aromas.
An incredibly versatile port when it comes to serving temperatures and food pairings, and just as good mixed with tonic or served in a considered cocktail as it is savoured simply with a good book and a comfy armchair. A bottle you can open to share with anyone.
Cockburn’s Special Reserve – the bold one
The UK’s favourite port for a reason. Using grapes grown in the hot Douro Superior, and aged in wood for just four years to give those delicious dark fruits free rein, this is as deep and rich and spicy as they come. Velvet-textured, with a beautiful light grip of tannin on the finish that makes it a spectacular match with cheese … and demands a second sip as soon as the first has gone down.
Also perfect with good dark chocolate, this is one to enjoy at room temperature and savour slowly. No ageing or decanting required; just get that cork out and pour away.
Graham’s LBV – the elegant one
Graham’s has a reputation as one of the most elegant of ports, always gorgeously scented with violets and deep purple fruit; silk-smooth on the palate and gently warming without ever being fiery. Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is a style that suits these characteristics to perfection.
Expressing much of the rich complexity of Vintage Port but aged longer in wood so it’s ready to drink as soon as you get it (but will continue to age should you choose), this is a very fine and remarkably good value style of port for sharing only with favoured friends. Made from grapes grown in some of Graham’s best sites across the region, it punches far above its price point.
Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port – the long-aged one
This is the Tawny Port that producers across the region seek to emulate. Aged for an average of 10 years in seasoned oak casks, the wine takes on a beautiful tawny hue with gorgeous characteristics of chopped nuts, citrus peel and raisins.
Tawny Port shows its best with a little bit of chill – don’t be afraid to put this one in the fridge. They pair perfectly with all sorts of desserts, from crème brûlée to apple pie – and of course their flavours beautifully complement that bowl of mixed nuts that someone always leaves on the side at this time of year. One of the best ports for the money made anywhere in the region. Don’t be afraid to be selfish when it comes to sharing this…
Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port – the showstopper
This is the Port to share only with those you love most. A style made only when the stars align for a perfect vintage for one particular Quinta, this is Graham’s expression of just a single year and one single vineyard – the exceptional Malvedos.
This is one to decant a few hours before serving to allow the wine to breathe for as long as possible. Spectacularly rich, mesmerisingly complex, layered with luscious blackberry fruit, plum, liquorice and spice, but with a beguilingly fresh aroma. Save for a special occasion when you have a good few hours to spend slowly unpicking its magnificent complexity.
