Whilst I think that during my research I found a red wine grape beginning with Q, or at least one that has a synonym beginning with Q, I can't relocate the reference and, therefore, the chance of locating a bottle of wine made from it is extremely unlikely. Perhaps next year.
So, for the third Q running, I am relying on the Portuguese name for a wine growing estate being 'quinta' and have selected a wine based on its producer rather than its grape
Week Q (2014) Quinta do Noval 10 year old Tawny Port. Waitrose £20.99
I am not at all disappointed with having to resort to this method of selection for at least two reasons. Firstly, Portugal produces a wide variety of wine styles from an even wider variety of grapes, many of which are not grown elsewhere, and the standard is usually pretty good especially at the price.
Secondly, this week it will be Christmas and what better reason, should any reason at all be required, do I need to justify the purchase of a decent bottle of Port?
I love Port but don't drink it as often as I would like. But then I love whiskey, beer and of course wine. I am fond of white bread, cheese, sausages and the occasional elephant's leg sandwich (doner kebab) so, as I also quite like not being dead, I am unlikely to increase my Port consumption to address this problem. I suppose I could cut down on some of my other peccadilloes but I've seen Sophie's choice and don't think that's a good way forward.
Port is a fascinating subject. I would argue that if you want to understand the general topic of wines and spirits you could learn a huge proportion of what there is to know from understanding Port alone. From the environmental factors affecting the management of the vineyards, through selection of varieties to be used, to the distillation of the spirit used to fortify the wine and the maturation and blending of the final product, it is all there. As is the regulation and control, the history and the politics, and the economics.
This particular style of Port, an aged Tawny, is made by blending wines that have spent an average of 10 years maturing in oak before being bottled.This contrasts with other styles which may all grapes from a single year, vintage, which matures in the bottle, or late bottled vintage where grapes from a single year mature in oak for longer, or a number of others which underline my point about understanding Port to understand wine.
Being a tawny this wine is paler in colour than the least expensive Ruby styles and has some brown tones, most visible at the rim. It smells of burnt toffee and cinnamon and on tasting these aromas are followed with a warming Christmas pudding fruitiness that feels thick and sweet. The finish is long and soothing. Like almost all Port it has nearly 20% abv, so it is best sipped and savoured, as any other approach is likely to leave bumps on your head.
An excellent choice which has been well received by those who have shared this bottle. Merry Christmas.
So, for the third Q running, I am relying on the Portuguese name for a wine growing estate being 'quinta' and have selected a wine based on its producer rather than its grape
Week Q (2014) Quinta do Noval 10 year old Tawny Port. Waitrose £20.99I am not at all disappointed with having to resort to this method of selection for at least two reasons. Firstly, Portugal produces a wide variety of wine styles from an even wider variety of grapes, many of which are not grown elsewhere, and the standard is usually pretty good especially at the price.
Secondly, this week it will be Christmas and what better reason, should any reason at all be required, do I need to justify the purchase of a decent bottle of Port?
I love Port but don't drink it as often as I would like. But then I love whiskey, beer and of course wine. I am fond of white bread, cheese, sausages and the occasional elephant's leg sandwich (doner kebab) so, as I also quite like not being dead, I am unlikely to increase my Port consumption to address this problem. I suppose I could cut down on some of my other peccadilloes but I've seen Sophie's choice and don't think that's a good way forward.
Port is a fascinating subject. I would argue that if you want to understand the general topic of wines and spirits you could learn a huge proportion of what there is to know from understanding Port alone. From the environmental factors affecting the management of the vineyards, through selection of varieties to be used, to the distillation of the spirit used to fortify the wine and the maturation and blending of the final product, it is all there. As is the regulation and control, the history and the politics, and the economics.
This particular style of Port, an aged Tawny, is made by blending wines that have spent an average of 10 years maturing in oak before being bottled.This contrasts with other styles which may all grapes from a single year, vintage, which matures in the bottle, or late bottled vintage where grapes from a single year mature in oak for longer, or a number of others which underline my point about understanding Port to understand wine.
Being a tawny this wine is paler in colour than the least expensive Ruby styles and has some brown tones, most visible at the rim. It smells of burnt toffee and cinnamon and on tasting these aromas are followed with a warming Christmas pudding fruitiness that feels thick and sweet. The finish is long and soothing. Like almost all Port it has nearly 20% abv, so it is best sipped and savoured, as any other approach is likely to leave bumps on your head.
An excellent choice which has been well received by those who have shared this bottle. Merry Christmas.
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