Sep 2015
Chocolate Ports
September, 2015 Filed in: Wine varieties
Every fall we are offered Specialty Port kits. Of course in the new era, we are not permitted to call them Port or even Port style. So now we formally call them This arose out of the insistence of the Portuguese trade folks joining their French counterparts in not allowing wines, not containing grapes grown in their country or wines produced and bottled in their country. Wait until the Canadian grocery buyer faces the impending wrath of the Italian cheese industry which will not permit non-Italian cheese producers to call there cheese such names as parmigiano, asiago, mozzarella or ricotta.
So, what are these Specialty dessert wines. Well this year we are offering the Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Orange, and Chocolate Salted Carmel dessert wine. Why make one of these delicious dessert wine kits? Well they are a perfect offering to guests after a meal and along with a delicious dessert. Pair Chocolate Raspberry port with an extra chocolate-y Tuxedo cake and you will finish off the perfect meal. These wines are perfect for sipping.
But perhaps the best reason for making these wines are to give away as Christmas gifts. While, giving a bottle of Merlot or Sauvignon blanc is a nice thing to do, and as wine makers we are always doing that. But these Specialty ports are unique. Bottle them in a smaller 375 ml bottle and put them in a basket with a scented candle, some crackers and cheese, and mixed nuts and you will be the hit of the Christmas season.
The Specialty ports have a higher alcohol percentage, usually 16%, and are ideal to sip on a cold winter night. Typical Port is 22%, and you could achieve this alcohol percentage by adding vodka or brandy, but we do not recommend doing this. Results have found that the additional alcohol content lessens the chocolate and flavour. And that is the reason you make these kits, to appease to the inner chocolate desire.
So, what are these Specialty dessert wines. Well this year we are offering the Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Orange, and Chocolate Salted Carmel dessert wine. Why make one of these delicious dessert wine kits? Well they are a perfect offering to guests after a meal and along with a delicious dessert. Pair Chocolate Raspberry port with an extra chocolate-y Tuxedo cake and you will finish off the perfect meal. These wines are perfect for sipping.
But perhaps the best reason for making these wines are to give away as Christmas gifts. While, giving a bottle of Merlot or Sauvignon blanc is a nice thing to do, and as wine makers we are always doing that. But these Specialty ports are unique. Bottle them in a smaller 375 ml bottle and put them in a basket with a scented candle, some crackers and cheese, and mixed nuts and you will be the hit of the Christmas season.
The Specialty ports have a higher alcohol percentage, usually 16%, and are ideal to sip on a cold winter night. Typical Port is 22%, and you could achieve this alcohol percentage by adding vodka or brandy, but we do not recommend doing this. Results have found that the additional alcohol content lessens the chocolate and flavour. And that is the reason you make these kits, to appease to the inner chocolate desire.