SERVING PORT WINES
The rituals of serving port wines are part of their enjoyment, and add an element of civility and tradition to any occasion.
Bottle aged port must be decanted out of its bottle into another container to remove the wine from the accumulated sediment before being served.
To decant Vintage or Single Quinta Vintage ports:
- Stand the bottle upright 24 hours before it will be served, to allow the sediment to settle to the bottom of the bottle.
- Carefully remove the cork from the bottle, to avoid disturbing the sediment as much as possible.
- With the decanter ready, light a candle and stand it beside the decanter.
- Holding the bottle over the candle to illuminate the contents in the neck, slowly pour the port from the bottle into the decanter in one smooth motion, stopping immediately as the wine in the neck begins to cloud from the sediment.
- Serve immediately after decanting the wine.
If served too warm, the alcohol in port will evaporate and interfere with the enjoyment of the wine.
Both wood aged and bottle aged port wines are most often served at cool room temperature (64° to 68°F). This may be achieved by placing the bottle in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Special Reserve, Fine Tawny and Aged Tawny Port may also be served slightly chilled in warmer weather or with appetizers. Place the bottle in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes to one hour to chill slightly.
The traditional port glass is slightly smaller than a standard white wine glass, holding about 5 or 6 ounces. It is best to use a tulip shaped glass with a U-shaped bowl for proper tasting and appreciation of the wine.
Because port is a fortified wine with an alcoholic content of 19-20%, servings of just 2-3 ounces are standard
Centuries of tradition demand that port should always be passed from the right to the left, a custom that is rooted in mythology of many cultures around the world.
- The decanter or bottle is placed before the host, who serves the person on his right, then himself before passing the bottle to the guest on his left, who serves himself then passes again to the left.
- Etiquette demands that the decanter or bottle be passed all the way around the table to be set once again in front of the host.
- British customs deem it poor manners to ask for the decanter. If an errant guest fails to pass the port, the host traditionally asks, "Do you know the Bishop of Winchester?" A guest well-versed in port etiquette will abashedly pass the port along. If the guest answers, "No," he or she is told "He is an awfully good fellow – but he never passes the port."
Port styles have various shelf lives after being opened. Re-cork all bottles immediately after serving and store in a cool place. In general, the older the port the shorter the shelf life after opening. Use this as a guide:
- Vintage Port and Quinta dos Canais: should be consumed within 24 hours of opening the bottle.
- Fine Ruby, Fine Tawny, Special Reserve and Anno Late Bottled Vintage: should be consumed within 5-6 weeks after opening.
- Aged Tawnies: should be consumed within 5-10 days after opening
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