The Must-Have Port For Cozy Winter NIghts

As the evening winds down, doesn't a glass of port sound warming? You're in an overstuffed chair, watching the logs in your fireplace burn down to embers. What, you don't have a fireplace? And no idea where to begin with port? Help is here for the latter question, and the answer is easy on the pocketbook.

Port pro Roy Hersh, creator of the "For The Love of Port" website, says reserve ruby port is a great starting point. Aged longer than regular ruby ports, reserves have more complexity but still show fresh fruit characteristics. Bottles that he recommends are: Taylor Fladgate First Estate, Fonseca Bin 27, Graham's Six Grapes, and Sandeman Founders Reserve. Hirsh explains that these ports are from "names that you can trust to be exemplary in this category and are all very approachable from the moment the bottle is opened."

Ready to explore the world of port outside of the reserve ruby style? To create excitement and adventure, think about pairing different styles of port with food beyond the usual suspects (chocolate and blue cheese). A pepper-encrusted steak can be a good match, and Hirsh has enjoyed aged tawny ports with game. Don't forget about white port, either: "Try a dry, white port with a roasted chicken for a really nice surprise!"

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