BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER A MEAL? WHEN TO DRINK PORT?
If there's one thing you can't say about Port, it's that it lacks versatility.
With its rich profile and the diversity of categories in which it is presented, this fortified wine can be enjoyed in multiple ways, always enhancing the experience through renewed pleasure.
Traditionally consumed as an aperitif or digestif, Port wine has been conquering new spaces at the table and beyond, accompanying main courses and even inspiring sophisticated cocktails.
But is there a right time to enjoy a glass of Port?
The answer may be surprising. In this article, we'll show you how to take advantage of this Portuguese classic on different occasions, whether before, during or after a meal.
PORT WINE AS AN APERITIF
Some categories of Port, especially the drier and more refreshing ones, are great options for whetting the appetite.
A White, Dry or Extra Dry Port, served chilled, is ideal for this occasion. With its light profile and pronounced freshness, it offers a delicate balance between sweetness and acidity, making it the perfect accompaniment to appetisers such as olives, toasted almonds, smoked salmon or dried dates. It can also be used as the base for the famous Porto Tonic, a simple and elegant cocktail that combines Port wine with tonic water, ice and a lemon or orange peel and mint.
For a less conventional aperitif, a 10 or 20 year old Tawny Port can be a surprising choice. Its aromatic complexity, which evokes caramelised notes and dried fruit, makes for exquisite combinations with pâté, foie gras or Iberian ham.
PORT WINE TO ACCOMPANY THE MEAL
Contrary to what many people think, Port wine can also take pride of place at the table during a meal. Its versatility allows for unexpected harmonisations with main courses that take the gastronomic experience to another level.
Try it for yourself and choose:
... a White Port, to accompany light meals such as salads, ceviches, seafood, grilled fatty fish or creamy soups;
... a Ruby Port, for grilled meat dishes or served with red fruit sauces;
... a Tawny 10 year old Port, to pair with duck-based recipes or Asian dishes with a bittersweet profile;
... an LBV Port, to pair with roasts, steaks with intense spicy sauces or game dishes with strong flavours.
In addition, Port wine can also be the star of many recipes, being used in the kitchen in a variety of contexts, from making sauces and reductions or even desserts.
PORT WINE FOR DESSERT
Port wine can also play its part at the end of the meal. When it's time for dessert, there's no shortage of options for good pairings.
For sweets based on chocolate and red fruits, there's nothing like a Ruby Port or an LBV. With their fruity profile and intense, vibrant colour, these wines bring out the flavours and create irresistible combinations. A perfect choice to accompany a chocolate mousse or cake, or even a red fruit cheesecake.
For desserts with dried fruit, oranges, coffee, egg sweets or caramel, the choice should be Tawny Port. With its delicate and enveloping flavour, it harmonises perfectly with traditional desserts such as rice pudding, custard, pudding or French toast. Its versatility goes beyond the most typical recipes, however, and it also pairs well with a fruit salad, a walnut tart or an apple crumble accompanied by vanilla ice cream.
PORT WINE AFTER THE MEAL
Port is, by nature, a social wine. Even after the meal is over, it remains excellent company, whether to accompany a coffee or to prolong a good conversation.
For coffee, the suggestion is a 20-year-old Tawny or older, whose complexity and elegance create a harmonious combination of flavours, making this moment even more enjoyable.
And for a good chat, nothing beats the pleasure of leisurely savouring a glass of Vintage Port. After being carefully decanted, this wine is a good digestif that deserves to be enjoyed on its own, allowing its flavours to express themselves fully. A more affordable alternative, which is also pleasurable, is an LBV Port, especially for those looking for high-quality rubies full of youth.
PORT WINE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Let's be honest: Port wine doesn't need a big pretext to be appreciated.
There are simple, spontaneous moments in our daily lives that take on a whole new dimension in the presence of a glass of this unique wine - whether it's to accompany a slice of Serra cheese on a late afternoon break, the square of dark chocolate we bite into while relaxing on the sofa, or even that crunchy pastel de nata we can't resist. For each of these little pleasures, there is a suitable Port wine: an aged White Port is a good match for unctuous and intense cheeses; a Ruby Port creates a delicious contrast between the sweet and bitter of dark chocolate; and a Tawny Port will enhance the velvety texture of the classic pastel de nata..
PORT WINE TO CELEBRATE SPECIAL OCCASIONS
In addition to everyday treats, Port wine also has a place reserved for special occasions.
Vintage Port and Colheita Port are the supreme expression of this wine and the ideal choice for memorable toasts, whether to mark an achievement, an anniversary or simply a special dinner.
But celebrating doesn't have to mean formality. For more relaxed moments, a glass of Port can be given new life in creative cocktails, where tradition is reinvented in surprising combinations.
THE RIGHT TIME TO ENJOY A PORT WINE
If you've made it this far, you'll have realised that there's no right time to try Port, as it has the gift of making any occasion more special.
Whether it's at the end of a quiet day or as part of a memorable meal, a toast with friends or a moment of your own, opening a bottle is the only pretext you need to savour a good time. The important thing is to know how to get the best out of each bottle.
And that starts with making sure that the Port is served at the right temperature - a simple detail, but fundamental to ensuring that the wine is at its full aromatic and flavour potential. Here are the main guidelines:
- Rosé Port - 4°C
- White Port - between 6°C and 10°C
- Ruby Port - between 12°C and 16°C
- Tawny Port - between 10°C and 14°C
- LBV or Vintage Port - ideally at 18°C
If you don't consume the whole bottle, store the wine tightly corked in the fridge. This will help preserve the flavours and aromas for longer to ensure that each glass is as good as the first.
Ready for your next toast?
Visit our UVA Wine Shop and find the perfect Port for any occasion.
