Four Ports Tasted from Burmester Cellars Winery
Well it’s been a long hot summer so far. Recently Scott and Nicola were on a cruise and one of the ports they stopped at was Oporto. As one does, they went on a Port tasting event, which included 5 different Ports with a selection of cheeses and crackers. Interestingly I am very fond of Port but my wife isn’t. So on return from their cruise they brought back some bottles of port that they had tasted and we decided between the four of us we would try to replicate the Oporto tasting.
The Burmester Cellars Winery is in Villa de Gaia overlooking the Douro River. It is open to the public for tours and tastings.
The original tasting was paired with a cheese board, so I got a selection of cheese, namely brie, goats cheese, smoked cheese, a jalapeno cheddar, Strathdon Blue and vintage Shropshire along with some ripe avocado, apple and strawberries. So we’re all set. The Ports were:
- White Port
- Tawny Port
- Ruby Port
- LBV Port
Our opinions varied with my wife loving the first two Ports but found the last two a bit heavy.
1st up – White Port, By Burmester
Made from white grapes, it is a more refreshing change from the bigger reds. White Port colour ranges from golden to a pale yellow with flavours citrus, honey and a hint of floral notes.
2nd – Tawny Port, By Burmester
Tawny Port is an amber coloured Port, matured in small barrels. The taste is dried fruit, toffee with older Tawny Ports they show notes of honey and mild spices.
3rd – Ruby Port, By Burmester
Ruby Port is quite vibrant and the most accessible of all the Port styles. The colour is very striking with red and purple hues. Taste of red berries, plums and cherries.
4th – LBV, (Late Bottled Vintage) By Burmestrer
LBV Port is always at an approachable price and does not need decades of aging. This is a very rich and full bodied Port with a taste of rich dark fruits, chocolate and spices.
Other Ports we have to taste are Vintage Port and Rose Port.
I enjoyed all the Ports, My favourite was the LBV, rich in flavour and in colour and for me, would be ideal to finish off a meal. Traditionally I have never been a Tawny Port lover, but this one was not too bad, but again for me it was LBV all the way.
My wife’s favourite was the White Port and it was the first time she had tasted it.
Nicola’s favourite was the Burmester Ruby Port.
Scott’s favourirte was was torn between the Burmester White and Ruby Ports.
