Portugal is the country to turn to for Christmas wines. They make some stunning fortified wines, very suitable for the winter season and, of course, Christmas. But it is not only port wine. Here are a few suggestions but go for any other wine in these categories too.
Port
Port Quinta da Devesa 10 Years Tawny Port, 0,5 l, ~20 euro. A tawny port has been in barrels for a long time and gets a wonderfully oxidized, nutty note in the taste.
Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 2012. ~40 €. A vintage port has, despite its sweetness, tannins and structure. And a wonderfully intense black fruit. Fonseca’s Guimaraens is also very affordable for a vintage port.
Madeira
Madeira Blandy’s Madeira Colheita Malmsey 2016. 0,5 l, ~18 eur. A high-quality madeira is made from one of four white grapes, malmsey, sercial, verdelho or bual. These are indicated on the label. Malmsey is the sweetest of the four.
Moscatel
Moscatel Bacalhoa Moscatel de Setúbal 2021. Not as well-known as Portugal’s other fortified wines but well worth discovering. Moscatel de Setúbal ferments slowly with the skins and after a period of aging in oak acquires intense aromas of orange peel, dried apricots, figs, nuts…a true Christmas wine.
