Port - What should I try as my first ?

[Bubba -NJ]

I did a search and read alot , but now I'm confused as to which I should try first , Ruby , Tawny , LBV or Vintage . I would like to start not too expensively(around $20) . Something that goes great with a good cigar . My wine of choice is Riesling , if that helps . Haven't really had any red wine because what I remember my Dad having usually had a touch of a vinegar scent to it . Any help is always appreciated .

[NullSmurf]

Originally Posted by Bubba -NJ

I did a search and read alot , but now I'm confused as to which I should try first , Ruby , Tawny , LBV or Vintage . I would like to start not too expensively(around $20) . Something that goes great with a good cigar . My wine of choice is Riesling , if that helps . Haven't really had any red wine because what I remember my Dad having usually had a touch of a vinegar scent to it . Any help is always appreciated .

I'm also new to port. However, I think the Tawny comes in several price ranges relative to its age. Unless you have a really sensitive palate, go with the least expensive.

[Corona Gigante]

Originally Posted by Bubba -NJ

I did a search and read alot , but now I'm confused as to which I should try first , Ruby , Tawny , LBV or Vintage . I would like to start not too expensively(around $20) . Something that goes great with a good cigar . My wine of choice is Riesling , if that helps . Haven't really had any red wine because what I remember my Dad having usually had a touch of a vinegar scent to it . Any help is always appreciated .

The vinegar scent you associate with red wine was probably due to the fact that is was not of a very high quality. That won't be a problem with port.

There is a big difference between ruby and tawny ports. Ruby is a lot sweeter. Tawny is more like sherry. I don't care much for Tawny port but I love ruby port.

Port is most commonly drunk at the end of a big meal. It's very rich, sweet, and higher in alcohol than red wine (around 18%-20% abv).

$20 spent at a good wine merchant or liquor store will probably get you started. I'd recommend staying away from vintage since you won't get a good one for $20.

Whether or not you would "appreciate" a good port is a matter of opinion. The first port I ever drank was a ten-year-old (at the time) bottle of 1975 Warres I bought for my father as a Christmas gift. 1975 was one of the great vintages of this century, apparently. It was the most incredible thing I have ever tasted and I remember it still. Goes for around $150 a bottle now and connoisseurs are still buying it to "lay down" rather than to drink.

Hope this is helpful.

[TU09]

I would suggest trying a vintage character port; I personally enjoy Sandeman's Founder's Reserve although it isn't terribly popular amongst afficianados. In the same vein, many people enjoy Graham's Six Grapes while I am not a fan. Actually, I disliked six grapes enough to go ahead and dispose of the bottle in one sitting, didn't think it deserved to be saved. The moral is, everybody has different tastes and you need to try a variety and either of these deserves a shot. Note I have never had vintage port so my opinions are not those of a connoisseur.

[Bubba -NJ]

Thank you for your replies , hoping to get a few more recommendations .

[Ron1YY]

You may want to start with

Fonseca Bin 27
Grahams Ruby
Grahams Tawney

All are good starters and under the $20 mark where I live. Good LBV's and Vintages tend to run higher than $20, but IMHO are worth it to get. There are several wine sites the you can order from and get good pricing.

It is another slope to go down and it goes perfectly with cigars and after dinner deserts.

Ron

[cigar no baka]

Since I swig port directly from the bottle and consume large quantites when I am smoking a cigar, i stick with Fonseca Bin 27.

[zamco17]

If you are looking for something around 20, you need to try Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage. Its about as good as gets until you spend about 45.

[hatred]

if you are new to Ports, i would suggest taking a handful of recommendations and picking up a couple bottles to see what you like. Ports can very tremendously from one region to another, so you might want to skip any classifications until you can remember a bottle or two because they were that good. as for recommendations, along with those posted, i've had a couple good bottles of Cockburns and Axe Hill (South African).

[TU09]

Originally Posted by hatred

if you are new to Ports, i would suggest taking a handful of recommendations and picking up a couple bottles to see what you like. Ports can very tremendously from one region to another, so you might want to skip any classifications until you can remember a bottle or two because they were that good. as for recommendations, along with those posted, i've had a couple good bottles of Cockburns and Axe Hill (South African).

More importantly, Port varies within a region. Port is produced in the Duoro Valley of Portugal. Port style wines can be made in other locations but are not really Port. The one South African Port Style wine I have had, made like an LBV, tasted much different than its Portugese counterparts. I don't remember the brand but in any case, anything labeled Port or Porto from outside Portugal simply is not what it pretends to be. It is like the manufacturers of economy wines useing French appellations on American wines of the same varietal (such as labeling a cheap California Chardonay as Chablis).

[mosesbotbol]

As a riesling lover and a port fanatic, I would suggest the Taylor 10 Tawny in the $20 range. It may be a few bucks more, but in that ball park. If you live near a Trader Joe's, the 1987 Porto Morgado for $10.99 is actually quite good. A decent vintage port otherwise is going to be closer to $50 to start.

Dow's 10 year Tawny is good too, slightly different profile (Dow, Fonseca, and Taylor are the big guns in port), so it's a toss up between the two. Graham's Six Grapes, anything Austrailan/Californian, or the low end ports, I would stay away from until you have a taste in port. Why ruin a developing pallette, drinking crap?

Oh ya, Grahams has a good LBV in that price range too.

[dyj48]

I agree with TU09, there's a world of difference between American made port and port from other parts of the world. The best IMO is from the area known as Douro Valley around Oporto, Portugal. I'd recommend a link for your education on port, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_wine. I think that will help you understand the complexities of port. Rubys are generally cheaper than Tawny Port.

I prefer Tawny anytime over Ruby Port. A great way to start drinking port is to try a port known as Colheita Port. You can get a bottle of 1989 Colheita for around $20-24. Port keeps for a while, so you might want to invest in an airtight stopper which prevents the port from degrading.

I have a couple of cases of the 89 Colheita and it's my regular drink with my fave smokes....

Have a great time with it!!

[ATLHARP]

I would start with either Taylor-Fladgate or Graham's Ruby Port. They can usually be found cheaper than most ports and they both taste wonderful. If you can bear something more around the $20 range I would grab either Graham's Six Grape or Taylor Fladgate LBV- both of these are superb ports!


ATL

[Bubba -NJ]

I finally was able to get a recommended bottle of Fonseca Bin 27 . Wasn't as strong as I thought it was going to be , was expecting a heavier brandy taste and not as much fruitiness . After a few tastes I realized to take it easy and sip it , not gulp it , sips tasted better and weren't overwhelming to my tastebuds . Had it with a BBF from 2000 on Saturday night . I drank it at room temperature . Should I chill it or is room temp the proper way to drink port ?

[galaga]

Originally Posted by Bubba -NJ

I finally was able to get a recommended bottle of Fonseca Bin 27 . Wasn't as strong as I thought it was going to be , was expecting a heavier brandy taste and not as much fruitiness . After a few tastes I realized to take it easy and sip it , not gulp it , sips tasted better and weren't overwhelming to my tastebuds . Had it with a BBF from 2000 on Saturday night . I drank it at room temperature . Should I chill it or is room temp the proper way to drink port ?

Room temp with a BBF is near perfect. It also goes well with some dark chocolate or some grapes and stilton cheese. Or make some peach/strawberry shortcake and whipped cream and splash a little port on that. Make you your granny.