Portugal: Part 2 What is Port and Tinta Roriz?

Port wine comes from the Douro Valley, Spain. It wasn’t long ago that we tasted a wine from the Douro Valley, Spain. The river continues west through Spain and runs directly through Portugal before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the City of Porto. This is Portugal’s second largest city and the namesake of the wine. Port wine is highly regulated. No other area can produce “Port” wine. After the start of fermentation, and when about half of the sugar has been converted to alcohol, a spirit, normally brandy, is pumped into the juice to stop the fermentation. The result is a sweet and high-alcohol wine.

There are two types of port; vintage port and tawny port. A vintage port will happen about 3 out of 10 years and happens when conditions are just right to produce the best port. These ports are produced and bottled after approximately two years. They are often ready to drink after 4 or 5 years, but can normally be aged for many years. Tawny port originally got its name from wine aged so long that it lost its red color and became a tawny brown or tan. Today it is typically labelled 10 or 20 years, or more. Tawny ports are normally smoother than vintage ports. According to the Oxford Companion to Wine, today, Tawny Ports are many times no older than a vintage port and may even include white ports or wine-making techniques to get the desired color.

We also want to talk about two varietal wines. First is Tinta Roriz, which is what the Portuguese call Tempranillo. The second variety we want to talk about is Touriga Nacional. This is traditionally the main grape variety used in port wine, but is becoming a more important single varietal wine grape. It has also expanded to France, South Africa, Australia, and the US in recent years. Mainly because it is a heat-resistant grape variety.

 Tonight, we are enjoying:

1. 2019 Ermegeira Tinta Roriz MIA. It comes from the Lisboa region of southern Portugal and has 11.5% alcohol. I purchased the wine at Wine Styles for around $28. It is certified organic and suitable for vegans according to the website. Vivino says the wine is earthy, juicy cherry, boysenberry, Raspberry, slightly grippy. The grapes are lightly pressed to limit extraction. Only grapes from his own estate are used. All stainless steel used I production with no SO2 at all. 100% Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo)
2. 10 Year Old Kirkland Tawny Porto. I purchased at Costco for $16.99. Reverse Wine Snob says aromas of prunes, raisins, orange zest, caramel, toffee, some nutty notes, some bourbon and a good bit of heat. Tastes silky smooth, sweet, and fruity with raisiny fruit notes, more caramel, toffee, and nutty notes. Recommends a buy. Pair with a rich dessert.

We both loved the Tinta Roriz and gave it a score of 4. This was produced in stainless steel so it is brighter than the typical tempranillo. To me it just tasted fresh and natural.

The Port was good and we both enjoyed and we both scored it a 3. Had a very hot aroma, but was smooth and tasty for the most part. This is a nice price for a port and I would suggest you give it a try. You will need to be open to a strong and sweet dessert wine.

Next week we are having a mystery show. Join us next week to see what wine we end up tasting.