Kopke 20 Year Old Tawny Port

What better way to cap off a stellar meal - Kopke 20 year old Tawny Port. What is Port exactly? It is a fortified red wine ( most common, there are also white and rosé Port) made in Porto, Portugal. It can only be called Porto if it is made in Porto DO - similar to the law Champagne can only be called Champagne if it is made in Champagne AOC, France. Port is made from Portuguese indigenous grapes, mainly Touriga National, Touriga Franca, Tina Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tina Cao and a host of other local varieties. Port can be made in different styles, such as red, white, rosé or tawny. This article will focus on the red and tawny ports. Red or Ruby Port is a basic red port with sweet, berry flavors, chocolate and spice, best drunk young. LBV or Late Bottle Vintage is a read to drink single vintage Port. Tawny colored Port is a barrel aged Port that gets better with age, ranging from 10, 20 or 30 years. Flavors range caramel, nut, graphite, butterscotch, graham cracker. Vintage Port is a single Vintage Port that is only declared in the best years.

Aromas of toffee, chocolate, caramel, roasted walnuts, prunes, raisins, dried figs, orange peel, vanilla. On the palate pronounced flavors of toffee, chocolate, caramel, roasted walnuts, prunes, butterscotch, raisins, dried figs, orange peel, lemon peel, vanilla, anise - silky smooth. I could go on and on about this port, just like the length of this outstanding wine.

Paired with a wedge of blue cheese, such as Stilton and walnuts; also great with Gorgonzola, chocolate and caramel desserts, smoked and salty nuts. Serve Port at room temperature, about 60F.