By Nat Levy
The holidays have come and gone, and it’s time to hunker in for the rest of the winter. Between ski trips and Valentine’s Day there are still a lot of desserts to be had. But who can keep drinking all that coffee with every slice of cake? The new year is a time for resolutions, and this year it’s time to experiment with a new desert drink: port.
Originating in Portugal’s Douro Valley in the northern provinces, port wine is about as sweet as it gets. Typically red wines, port varieties are often high in alcohol content and residual sugars, with a lingering fruity flavor.
Technically, if what you are drinking isn’t from Portugal it’s not true port, much like it’s only champagne if made in the specific region of France. But numerous countries, including the United States have perfected the process. In fact, a number of Washington wineries turn out some delicious port-like wine flavors.
Knipprath Cellars, Spokane
This relatively young winery, which began full-time operations in 1999, doesn’t lack for flavor and variety. Knipprath Cellars specializes in port offerings with seven different kinds. Check out their LaV port that features merlot aged with vanilla beans imported from Mexico and Madagascar. Yes, this bottle sounds too good to be true, but it’s all there, and you won’t even break the bank ordering one. A 375 ml bottle goes for $17.99 and a 750 ml liter bottle will cost you $29.99.
Eleven Winery, Bainbridge Island
You don’t have to go all the way out to Eastern Washington to experience this fine winery. Eleven Winery is just a short ferry ride away and features port offerings for both the red and white wine aficionados. The owners speak highly of the Sweet Sarah, named for the owner Matt Albee’s wife Sarah, because as he says, “She is the sweetest of them all.” Eleven has been making port since 2004, and it features tasting rooms in both Bainbridge and Poulsbo.
Paradisos del Sol, Zillah
This Yakima Valley winery is well-known for its “Zort” wine, a zinfandel-based port. This wine is a limited edition, and is meant for small groups. In an interview with Washington Magazine, Paradisos owner Paul Vandenberg admits to making ruby port-style wines so his wife has a drink to pair with her dark chocolate. Vandenberg characterizes his port as something to be enjoyed “in front of a fire on a howling winter night while releasing its captive sunshine. Its bramble fruit and spicy aromatics evoke summer in the berry patch with your lover.”
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