For The Love Of Port

I'm trying to get on the learning curve again. Watched a programmme that explained again how us marvelous British couldn't get on with the French, decided to import wine from the Portugese, found it didn't travel well,etc, so fortified it with Brandy. This stopped fermentation in its tracks, but it travelled sooo much better. We rather liked the result!!!
As a Historical sidenote...Do you think this could have been the catalyst for the old empire taking its eye off the ball, and on a particularly late night on the port, deciding our cousins across the pond might as well have their independence!!! (Only joking, and I know the dates dont match)
Anyway, It got me thinking what type of brandy is used, only to find that a lot of sources refer to the fortification process as adding a 'Neutral Spirit'.
So is this really a bland chemical alcohol based loosely on brandy? or are there still folk who add all forms of different quality brandys and the like, which impacts on the taste.
Any clues? Alan.

Hi Alan -

The Spirit or Brandy (or "Aguardente" if one's want to use the portuguese word of it) is alcohol distilled from wine.

The Aguardente must have 3 basic qualities:
* High Proof.
* show No Colour.
* show No Aroma.
In conclusion, it must the most neutral as possible.

Please note that the IVDP (The Douro and Port Wine Institute) controls the Aguardente.
I guess it really doesn't matter the source of the Aguardente. However, it must be approved by the Institute before its use for Port Wine.

The stocks of Aguardente that each Port Producer owns or purchases is subject of IVDP's official control as well.

MF

Thanks Mario. So although its an essential part of the process, it is probably more correct to consider it a basic building block in the process, as opposed to the grape,blending,age,container,etc, which would have greater impact on the variety of taste and quality.
Thanks again. Alan.

Alan,

It is a basic building block and - going from a strained memory here - I believe that it is Portuguese aguardente wherever possible.

I also recall having read or been told that the rules had recently changed to allow producers to choose or manage their own source and supply of aguardente within the IVDP rules and approval process, but I don't remember whether this is a change in the rules or a change that producer's would like to see.

Alex

My strained )and slightly pickled) memory tells me most of the spirit is French - but I concede that this could well be wrong.

I am fairly certain that the shippers are allowed to source the spirit themselves provided it meets the standards set by the IVDP. Something tells me this change in the rules followed the coal spirit scandal of the early 1970's.

Derek

From what I recall also, the producers can get it from anyone they chose, but it has to be approved by the IVDP.

Really straining my brain this morning...IIRC, there is a processing plant that makes aguardente on the south side of the Douro River, and I want to say it is near Quinta do Crasto?

Thanks again,
I dont really need an answer to this one, its just an absent minded thought, but I wonder what the really early ports tasted like, when presumably the first importers realised Brandy was turning it into a very nice drink, and I would guess tried all sorts of types to see how it turned out? Or would a chemist say it just doesn't matter? Are there drinkable ports from that time, which taste unusual because of that? Thats enough idle thoughts, on with life...
Cheers,
Alan.

Wow you guys from the trip are pretty good. Seems "the education" paid off. Proud papa here.

The truth be told, the IVDP has changed from the IVP's old regulations and the Casa do Douro which really used to oversee this facet of Port in conjunction with the IVP at the time. At one time in history (Pombaline) the ONLY place that Aguardente could be purchased, was from Portugal. When that changed, for a short period of time people were able to buy their "spirit" anywhere. Oftentimes (19th century) it was really cheap and low grade stuff from Spain.

The regulations changed again and it was from Portugal only, I believe with the updates in 1910. Later the rules loosened and folks were able to buy from anywhere they pleased and did so with abandon and that is how the scandal took place with the crap from Germany circa 1973. The rules made it a requirement to only buy Portuguese Aguardente again. Then circa 1996, the Port trade started their own buying consortium and the IVP rules allowed them to buy anywhere and the South of France was a very big hot spot along with Portuguese aguardente. Today that consortium is no more and the individual producers may still buy from anywhere although encouraged to buy Portuguese product, the IVDP must approve all lots purchased to be used in Port production.

It is now fashionable in Portugal, to make sipping Aguardente with flavors. Very similar to Grappa in Italy or upscale Tequila in Mexico in terms of how it is viewed by the local populations, a high end sipping drink at exclusive bars. However you can find the cheap stuff too which would be pretty retched imo.

It is now fashionable in Portugal, to make sipping Aguardente with flavors.

Having tried the real IVDP approved stuff, I only have two words for it "Fire water"

Roy,

I am sure it is pleasing for you to see that the collective minds of Andy, Alex and I contain all pertinent information about the history and current supply and regulation of arguardente, even if none of us individually has the full story due to diminished brain cell activity following our recent trip to the Douro with yourself and Mario

Perhaps we are the FTLOP equivalent of The Borg - a collective which cannot survive or function without connection to the others in the group :?

Derek

PS: Perhaps our friend in the land of 10 million lakes needs some of the 1973 coal spirit to add a kick to his hooch

Derek, let this part of the brain help you out...its 10,000 lakes


but how right you are

.... and once again we demonstrate that the Yanks can't understand British humour

Derek

the "Queen's English" is not English :joker:

Yes, but she can win an Oscar for no good reason whatsoever :?

Now,now,Derek,
Any country that has World Champions in American Football, when they are the only country that plays it, has developed a sense of humour as subtle and strange as the Mother Country!
That was the cleanest, and hopefully non controversial subject I could think of!
:) Alan

Alan, don't get me started on the wimps called American football players. They get a little cut on their finger and their out for like 4 games Pansy arses :!: suck it up and get back out there like anyother sport in the world. Heck, look at the Tour de France bike race. Those guys crash at like 25-40 mph wearing nothing but a thin lycra kit, get back up, and start riding again. Now that is a real man

Alan, welcome to our world - this Forum has the exlcusive ability to allow all members and nations to take the p*** out of each other without taking or intending offence. A unique achievement in the virtual world of wine

I have to say that your analogy was the only thing that made me laugh out loud today. Hopefully some or all of our friends from across the pond will appreciate the irony of your comments - but probably not :?

Derek

Andy,
I dont know wether you've experienced Rugby League yet, I'm sure you can find it on a sports channel if you haven't. If you haven't and you can spot it, give it ten minutes one day. Its American football without the padding. I live in a town where its a big thing. I'm getting a bit off the Port subject, but if you want to see a mans game...
Alan

Andy V. wrote:a thin lycra kit..... Now that is a real man

Hmmm :?

Derek,
break him in gentley, I for one still think thers hope!