For The Love Of Port

Name change for sherry, port labels
July 17th, 2001

Australia's wine industry will no longer use sherry or port on their labels to try to gain better access to the European market.

Under an agreement to phase out the use of traditional European wine terms, port will become Australian tawny, while vintage port will be known as Australian vintage.

Sam Tolley from the Wine and Brandy Corporation says it will mean more freedom.

"We've been able to use this as a bargaining chip to get better access to the marketplace," he said.

"Overall we fell we're the winners, if you look at our sales to the European Union they've sky rocketed."

More information on the topic: http://www.abc.net.au/catapult/news/s1652213.htm

OUTSTANDING Now if those darn Americans will do the same

Speaking of American ports, I was recently in Oregan and came across a port that was made locally, and said "why not".

Man, what a mistake. I cant believe that anyone would put such a thing in a bottle and sell it! It was so acidic that I thought I was sucking on a lemon. Very little fruit at all. It was just so harsh and pretty much nasty.

IMO, the best port styled wines in the USA hail from Missouri and CA. I have had others from Virginia and Washington and a few others, but none of them have come close. I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed a few from the aforementioned states, but not a single vintage wannabe came close to the real thing. OTOH, I have had tawnies that were a bit closer to the flavor profile of their Portuguese counterparts.

Now, they just need to rid themselves of the name port and I'd be happy to buy 'em on rare occasions.