Croft Fine Ruby Port picture via their website
January 27 is international Port Wine Day, enjoy and make a toast! Port is one of the most overlooked and underrated styles of wine on the market. When produced by great houses, these wines can provide some of the most delicious drinking experiences possible. The versatility of port wines knows no limits, it can be paired with dessert, mixed into a cocktail, or sipped neat after dinner!
Port wine is produced in Portugal's Douro Valley, located in the northern part of the country. Although most ports are red, white and rosé versions exist!
Port wines are fortified, meaning that a neutral distillate is added during the vinification process. Post-harvest, grapes are crushed and fermented like any other wine. Prior to the completion of fermentation, port producers add a neutral spirit to the wine. This addition of alcohol kills the remaining yeast and leaves residual sugar in the juice. The wines' alcohol content is also boosted to about 19% to 20% due
to the addition of the distillate.
This weekend I came across a delicious port wine called Croft Fine Ruby. My friend has been introducing me into the world of fine wines and mentioned it was difficult to find locally but was able to get it shipped through a website called wine.com!
Ruby port is often characterized by distinctively fruit forward flavors thanks to reduced reductive ageing in oak barrels. As a result its, tannins are reduced in favor of a smoother profile, but it doesn't lose its fruity properties.
It must be aged for at least two years, but there are no regulations preventing premium ruby port from being aged in oak barrels for longer.
Croft Fine Ruby Port picture via their website
Croft Fine Ruby Port has spent 3 years of aging in oak and has been able to pick up a great deal of decadent flavors in that time. This port's color is a deep rich red with a flavor profile including of berry, plum, and cherry with hints of spice and smoke. The long finish complements these flavors by adding in notes of licorice. The beautiful flow of earthy tones and fruity tastes in this port pair deliciously with creamy French Cheeses!
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