The Douro Valley of Portugal, with a winemaking heritage of around three thousand years, today is best known for Port, a wine with over a three hundred year history. a sweet, high alcohol (fortified with brandy) red wine, it is considered among the great wines in the world.
Naturally, Port is mostly thought of as a dessert wine, especially with chocolate desserts. But it can be enjoyed with other foods. Nuts and cheeses work well, too, especially blue cheeses. And some swear by game meats. Finally, I often enjoy Port itself as dessert.
Symington Family Estates is a leading premium port producer dating to 1882. All Symington vineyards are sustainably managed under a minimum intervention certification and a large number are organically. The family has an ambitious sustainability plan to adapt to climate change. In 2019 the company became a certified B Corporation, which is type of businesses audited for the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. Here are recommendations for several of the wineries in their portfolio.
Cockburn’s Special Reserve ($22) founded in 1815; creator of the first Reserve Port, a special type of Ruby Port, in 1969; typically fresh, exuberant, intense berry, grapey fruit, luscious texture.
Graham’s Six Grapes, Reserve ($28) established in 1820; an early pioneer of estate owned vineyards; fragrant Ruby Port of rich dark fruits, chocolate, full bodied and structured but with finesse.
Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny ($42) Tawny Port is distinguished from Ruby Port by a process that marries multiple vintages for average periods ranging from ten to forty years in cask; balances delicacy and elegance; nutty aromas combined with hints of honey and figs on the nose, mature fruit flavors and a long, luscious finish.
Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny ($70) enticing complexity of almond, orange and berry fruits mellowed by aging, sense of purity; smooth, balanced, elegant finish.
Dow’s 2018 Late Bottled Vintage ($30) dating to 1798; Dow’s has a long history as one of the most important names in Port; fresh black fruit, intense, structured, peppery; one of Port’s best values, Late Bottled Vintage Port is a Vintage Port in style, but less expensive and more accessible.
Ramos Pinto 10 Year Old “Quinta De Ervamoira” ($40) nestled in the Douro Superior sub-region close to the Spanish border; vineyards planted vertically, in a unique amphitheater fashion, instead of terraced; extreme summer heat concentrates the grapes; recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site; rich notes of searing dried plum, almond, tangy orange; delightfully mellow with succulent fig and plum, with
hints of vanilla