Port Tasting Event

At our Christmas Party, one of the wine suppliers served a Port to a few partygoers. Those lucky enough to enjoy a sip before the bottle ran out, thoroughly enjoyed it. There seemed to be sufficient interest in learning about and exploring the world of Port and other fortified wines. Because there are members who do not enjoy Port, a special event was held.

The venue was our regular tasting room, the Arbour Room at St Volodymyr’s. It was arranged a little differ from a normal tasting. Stand-up cocktail tables were arranged around the room. It was a much more intimate feel with only 27 people in attendance. Members and guests were able to more freely move around the room and interact with each other.

Paul Kealey from Dionysus  Wines did an outstanding job of telling the Port story. We learned about how the British and their love of French wine were forced to look for an alternative provider of wines during the 100 Years War. The Portuguese wines did not survive the long trip back to England in the sailing ships. Innovative monks added brandy to the wine to stabilize it for the journey. They started to add it during the fermentation process and Port was born. The British are still the largest consumers of Port.

Paul also gave us an example of a new world fortified wine. This was the Angove’s Fortified Shiraz.  It was a very nice example of port style wine. We also learned that only fortified wines from Portugal can be called Port.

Here are the tasting notes for some of the Ports we tasted.

 Warres Otima 10 year Tawny.
The firm that would become Warres was established in 1670, as a trading company.  In 1729 a young William Warre joined the company and soon after the company became known as WARRES. The History of Port, Oporto, the Warres family and Portugal itself  are all intertwined.
Wine Spectator 90 points
A light delicate Palate. Nutty , loads of caramel, honey and dried fruit. Simply the best tawny around.
………………………………...........................................................566174                                22.95

1994 Vintage Smith Woodhouse Port.
Smith Woodhouse Ports have outstanding length and structure and are drier than most. Its Vintage Ports show a characteristic opulent rich style, balanced by firm hard tannins. Ageing gives these wines an unmatched elegance.
Christopher Smith, Member of The British Parliament and Lord Mayor of London, founded a small company to ship Port from the Douro in 1784. Some years later the Woodhouse brothers joined him. Since 1970, Smith Woodhouse has been owned by the Symington family, Port producers since the 19th century.
95 points James Suckling
………………………………........................................................156885                                   89.95

Angove Family Shiraz Port.
It looks like a vintage port.  But it is soft and fruity , low in tannin.  It smells of squashed berries and dark Chocolate. Since 1854 the Angove Family have been making wine.   Renowned for their innovation, the Family continues to produce outstanding wines.
………………………………....................................................141697                                         18.95

Orders for any of the above can be directed via email to paul@dionysuswines.ca