May 2016 -- Ruby Reserve Port
Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 10:27 pm
Hey all,
A little while back, I spoke with Roy about making regular topics here and reviving the wonderful communal experience it can provide.
For folks that aren't familiar with the concept, we'll be choosing a theme each month. They'll generally be ones that can be found by folks in most places and are affordable for folks of any experience level and income. I'll kick off each month with a short blurb on what the theme is, what people can expect from it, and some suggestions on brands/bottlings that should be fairly easy to find and representative. I encourage everyone to try one or more Ports in the theme and leave their thoughts here, even if they don't want to leave a full note for the database. There's no wrong impressions, so don't be nervous.
I'll be using the #ftlopvirtualtasting on my twitter and facebook (and I guess I'll need to get an instagram as well) to see if we can encourage some new people to come and participate with us in the monthly theme. I encourage everyone to share a photo or post their thoughts on the Port on their favorite social media platform and help me bring some new enthusiasts into the fold.
So onto this month's theme: Ruby Reserve Port!
Ruby Port is probably the first Port style that most people are exposed to. Basic versions are cheap, plentiful, and often imitated by wineries outside of Portugal. Often dozens of different red grapes are crushed, macerated on the skins and partially fermented until distilled grape spirit is added to stop the fermentation, to ensure some sugar is left unfermented. Different batches are briefly aged in large, used barrels and blended to a consistent house style. These Ports emphasize fruit and freshness, foregoing the dense tannin/structure and wood aging that accompany other styles. These wines are best drunk young to maximize their strengths.
Now, we are tasting something slightly up the scale from basic Ruby Port, the Ruby Reserve Port. Often for just a few
more, you can get the best of these vibrant young wines, almost always under $20 in the U.S., and often much cheaper. These Ports are distinct from the basic versions by more fruit, more depth, and better structure, which contribute to a much more interesting and enjoyable experience than the base versions.
A few brands to try include: Taylor "First Estate", Fonseca "Bin 27", Graham "Six Grapes", Cockburn "Special Reserve", Sandeman "Founder's Reserve" and Warre "Warrior Port". Pretty much every maker has a ruby reserve offering, so don't be afraid to ask your local retailer what they recommend or seek out another producer.
And finally, please leave what you tried this month and what you thought of it, with bonus points for sharing on social media using the hashtag #ftlopvirtualtasting and leaving a full note for the FTLOP database.
Thanks and enjoy!
A little while back, I spoke with Roy about making regular topics here and reviving the wonderful communal experience it can provide.
For folks that aren't familiar with the concept, we'll be choosing a theme each month. They'll generally be ones that can be found by folks in most places and are affordable for folks of any experience level and income. I'll kick off each month with a short blurb on what the theme is, what people can expect from it, and some suggestions on brands/bottlings that should be fairly easy to find and representative. I encourage everyone to try one or more Ports in the theme and leave their thoughts here, even if they don't want to leave a full note for the database. There's no wrong impressions, so don't be nervous.
I'll be using the #ftlopvirtualtasting on my twitter and facebook (and I guess I'll need to get an instagram as well) to see if we can encourage some new people to come and participate with us in the monthly theme. I encourage everyone to share a photo or post their thoughts on the Port on their favorite social media platform and help me bring some new enthusiasts into the fold.
So onto this month's theme: Ruby Reserve Port!
Ruby Port is probably the first Port style that most people are exposed to. Basic versions are cheap, plentiful, and often imitated by wineries outside of Portugal. Often dozens of different red grapes are crushed, macerated on the skins and partially fermented until distilled grape spirit is added to stop the fermentation, to ensure some sugar is left unfermented. Different batches are briefly aged in large, used barrels and blended to a consistent house style. These Ports emphasize fruit and freshness, foregoing the dense tannin/structure and wood aging that accompany other styles. These wines are best drunk young to maximize their strengths.
Now, we are tasting something slightly up the scale from basic Ruby Port, the Ruby Reserve Port. Often for just a few
more, you can get the best of these vibrant young wines, almost always under $20 in the U.S., and often much cheaper. These Ports are distinct from the basic versions by more fruit, more depth, and better structure, which contribute to a much more interesting and enjoyable experience than the base versions. A few brands to try include: Taylor "First Estate", Fonseca "Bin 27", Graham "Six Grapes", Cockburn "Special Reserve", Sandeman "Founder's Reserve" and Warre "Warrior Port". Pretty much every maker has a ruby reserve offering, so don't be afraid to ask your local retailer what they recommend or seek out another producer.
And finally, please leave what you tried this month and what you thought of it, with bonus points for sharing on social media using the hashtag #ftlopvirtualtasting and leaving a full note for the FTLOP database.
Thanks and enjoy!
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