Lent is over, and I can now comfortably talk about wine. Do you know wine? Fermented grape juice for adults only and the most commonly mentioned beverage in the Bible. Even though wine is mostly made from the fermentation of grapes, there have been instances of wine being produced from the fermentation of other fruits like plums and blueberries. Over the years, different regions around the world have perfected the art of winemaking. Specific types of wines come from specific regions, each with their unique flavour profile. There are over ten thousand grape varieties in the world, but not all of them are deemed wine-worthy. Some are made into regular grape juice, some are dried to make sultanas and raisins, and some are harvested to be eaten.
Wines are named by the type of grapes used; examples are Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, two of the most popular red wines, and Chardonnay for white wine. Wines are also named by their place of origin rather than by the grapes used; examples are Champagne or Montrachet. There are different types of wines:
- Red wine – cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir. This category of wines is mostly paired with dishes with red meat and chocolate.
- White wine – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. This category of wines is mostly paired with dishes with white meat (chicken, fish, etc.).
- Sparkling wine – Champagne, Prosecco. These wines are paired with light dishes like seafood and soft cheese.
- Rosé wines – well, they are labelled as such. They are served with dishes similar to sparkling or white wines.
- Fortified wines – port, sherry. These are usually served with baked foods, dessert, and cheese.
Fortified wines with a focus on port wines have gradually become my favourite type of wine. Port wines are indigenous to Portugal. Although some other countries make port-style wines, according to the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) guidelines of the European Union, only Portuguese wine can be labelled port or Porto. Port wines are made from grapes grown in the Douro region of Portugal. They are made with semi-fermented grapes and distilled grape spirits; in most cases, brandy. This is why they are classified as fortified wines and also why they have a higher alcohol content per serving than regular wines—mostly 19%–20%.
There are three major types of port wines, with some having different varieties.
- Ruby port – is the most common port wine and as the name suggests, it is the red wine equivalent.
- Tawny Port—is made from red grapes, but the process of fermentation involves gradual exposure to oxidation, which fades the colour from ruby red to ruby orange.
- White Port—which is made from white (green) grapes—is the white wine equivalent. White port is sometimes mixed with tonic and can be used as a base for cocktails.
Port wines are usually served after the main meals or with cheese boards due to their sweetness. It’s also one of the reasons they are sometimes classified as dessert wines.
Have you tried port wine? The most common port wine in Lagos is the Sandeman brand. It is pocket-friendly and a treat. Please try any variety and let me know what you think.
