Port

Port is Portugal’s most famous fortified wine and one of the world’s most admired. The vineyards and some of the maturation facilities are in the Douro region; the trade is based in the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia, situated just south of Port, is also where the historic Port maturation lodges are located. Unlike Sherry, Port is always sweet and based on a blend of red grapes, which results in a purple, ruby, or tawny color depending on the aging process. Five red grapes used to produce port, Touriga Nacional (the finest), Touriga Franca (the most widely planted), Tinta Roriz (also known as Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão. A small quantity of white Port is also produced from white grapes.

Sherry is one of the ‘big three’ of the fortified wine world, along with Port and Madeira. It is produced in southern Spain in the coastal area around the town of Jerez de la Frontera. Most of the vineyards for Sherry are planted on the chalky albariza soil.

Rosé’s popularity seems unstoppable, and consumers today can choose from an increasingly wide range of rosé from around the world. Europe, particularly France, Spain, and Italy, accounts for the lion’s share, with over half of the rosé wine produced globally.