Vintage Port Tasting back to 1945

"I made wine out of raisins so I wouldn't have to wait for it to age."

- Steven Wright

When it starts to get cold, we start thinking about the high alcohol wines to keep us warm.  So, we will be taking down some high alcohol wines on Thursday, December 30th and one of my favorite types of high-octane wines is vintage Port.

This type of wine was created hundreds of years ago to appease the English thirst for wine during their hundred year’s war with France occurring in the 14th and 15th centuries.  There are several types of fortified wines but Vintage Port is considered by those in the know to be among the world's finest high octane grape juice elixir.

The really old ports from the Douro River Valley are still drinking beautifully today and they are getting harder and harder to find making this tasting qualify for "Once in Lifetime" status with wines like the 1945 Taylor Fladgate and the 1963 Warre’s Vintage port on the table tonight those two are worth price of admission alone. 

A "Vintage" year is only declared 2-3 times a decade by most major port houses. This declaration happens two years after the vintage and the wines are bottled shortly after, so they spend just 2 years in 100 gallon oak casks called “pipes”. Most people consider these young vintage ports in need of more bottle age to drink them in their prime, so 10-20 years is a must, but the oldest port tonight on the table is 61 years young.  We added a few younger vintage ports this year to give you a perspective on why you age vintage port for decades and not just a few years.

Join us as we experience this legendary 1945 Taylor Fladgate and the 1963 Warre’s Vintage port along with 7 other vintage ports from classic vintages.   Toni Lampasone will be making a special meal to accompany the wines and the fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $395 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

Vintage Port Tasting back to 1945

Friday, December 29th

7:30 PM

1945 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port

1963 Warres Vintage Port

1970 Dows Vintage Port

1985 Quinta Do Noval Vintage Port

1991 Churchill's Vintage Port

1991 Warre's Vinatge Port

1994 Churchill's Vintage Port

1997 Fonseca Vintage Port

1997 Taylor Fladgate Port


Menu

Selection of Cheese:  Epoisses, Beemster Gouda, Stilton Blue Cheese

Pulled Pork Black Bean and smoked Mozzarella ravioli with Port soaked sundried Cherry browned butter

Black and Blue Bacon Seared NY Sirloin with Blue Cheese Flan and Ruby Port Reduction

Bittersweet Dark Chocolate Tart with Espresso Foam and blue cheese ice cream

The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $395 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. Please let us know when you make your reservation if you have any food allergies of preferences and chef Toni will be happy to make menu changes.