Do you have a favorite non-Portuguese port-style that you love?

[Roy Hersh]

The Moscatel de Setubal is somewhat similar in style and even shows some similarity in the flavor profile of some Rutherglen stickies. I like both ... a lot, but find the Setubal versions often times have better acidity. The Rutherglen dessert wines are amazing for their concentration, and sweet richness, but can often times present a flabby nature. Then again, I am an acid freak, ergo my love of Madeira too.

[Monique Heinemans.]

FORTICUS, by Graf Hardegg is really one to try when you visit Austria.
We had it several times after diner with some cheese in an Austrian restaurant near our home (they only serve Austrian products). The vinification is about the same as a vintage port, only the alcoholpercentage is 1-2% lower.

Monique.

[Andrew E]

Mine would have to be the Generation III Port (Great butterscotch flavor) from the Ferrara Winery in California. I'm still new to ports but this is the one that got me started. I'm actually headed there this Thursday to pick up a case for me, my brother, and my father that I had reserved because we all really like it. It has a great mix of of wines going back as far as 60 years and can't wait to have it again since it's been a couple of years after my last bottle and they don't ship any of their wines.
I hear they have a good seasonal Christmas port, but I'm never in the area to try it.

One nice local port I tried a couple of months ago was the 1998 Sleeping Giant Port from the Maison de Padgett Winery. Tasting notes off of their website note Plum, sage and cocoa, and that sounds about right. Went great with the cigar I was enjoying along with it. I hadn't been clued in to decanting of vintage ports when I first bought this one, but it certainly tasted even better on day 2 of sitting in the bottle.

[Roy Hersh]

I had a really impressive pair of dessert wines emulating Port yesterday in a blind lineup. They were from Oregon, called: Madrone Mountain and one was a vintage, the other non-vintage. These used all four Bdx grapes and only left Malbec out of the mix. Actually, they were both quite good. TNs in next newsletter.