Port is fortified (strengthened with brandy) wine produced from vineyards in Douro Valley, Portugal. The United States, Australia and South Africa produce port-style wines, but the term Port or Porto is exclusively used for wines produced in Portugal. Dry, white Ports are served before dinner (aperitif). Sweet, white Ports and all red Ports are served after dinner. There are 2 types of Ports: wood-aged and bottle-aged. Wood-aged Ports are aged in wooden casks (barrel-shaped vessels) for many years, filtered before bottling, and then ready to drink. White, ruby and tawny Ports are examples of wood-aged Ports.
Bottled-aged Ports are aged in wooden casks briefly and bottled unfiltered until they mature. Vintage, the King of Ports, is the finest of all Ports, which makes it perfect for cosmopolites. It can take from 10 to 60 years before this kind of bottle-aged Port is perfect for consumption. Vintage Ports are also the most expensive kind of Port. According to Cigar Aficionado, a bottle of 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional vintage Port sold for $5,900 in 1988. If that price is too steep for you, then you can still get a good buy by purchasing a bottle of 1997 Fonseca “King of Port” for $90.