There are wines. And there are Port Wines. It is this distinction that we intend to make in “Cafe Róża – Wina z Portugalii”, reason for which the Port Wines are given a separate section. As all good pleasures of life, every occasion is a good occasion for enjoying a Port Wine. They require only senses and opened spirit.
“Cafe Róża – Wina z Portugalii” has introduced the widest and most representative variety of Port Wines in Poland . Widest - because it is composed by many different Port Wines. Most representative - because it is composed by all categories of Port Wines. We invite you to browse through our Port Wine list, and above all, we invite you to come to “Café Roza –Wina z Portugalii” to try them. We are looking forward to guide you through more than 2000 years of wine tradition, of the “wine for the Kings”.
Following, we present a set of frequently asked questions about Port Wines, for which the answers were prepared in order to clarify details.
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- Do Port Wines have to come exclusively from Portugal?
Yes. To be able to receive the designation “Port Wine” the wines have to be produced in the Douro region in Portugal . There are many wines in circulation in many countries that use the word “Port” but these are fakes.
- Does the name “Vinho do Porto ” mean that the wines are made in Porto?
No. Port Wines must be produced in the Douro region, and Porto is a city that is not even in the Douro region, in fact from Porto to the Douro region is still some distance. The name comes from how the wines were sold. Farming in the Douro region is very difficult, most of the landscape of this region would be better described as lunar, because of how dry, hilly and rocky it is. However, the sloops of the hills facing the Douro river have proved, for tens of centuries, to be fertile, as well as to constitute many microclimates. These wines very soon started to be known abroad (see History), which increased the exportation demand. Because the exportation was done by ship, the wines had to be transported to the nearest port. And where does the Douro river meet the Atlantic Ocean ? At the city of Porto , which in English means exactly Port. The city grew around the port. So the name started to spread, and around the second half of the 17 th century the wines started being known exclusively by the name of the city where they were shipped from.
- What is so special about Port Wines?
Everything! Starting with where they are produced, the history around them, and their absolutely unique characteristics. It strikes anyone as being completely amazing how a region, a landscape such as Douro 's, can be the origin of such tremendous wines. Port Wines are unique in the World, and have been loved throughout the entire globe. The reason for this is the characteristics of Port Wine. In all its varieties, ages, blends, Port Wines always achieve depths of taste, after taste, colour, and smell, that are unheard of in any other wines.
- I do not drink wine very often, can I appreciate Port Wines?
Yes. Port Wines are a world apart, a whole universe of its own. The knowledge of the different categories, the exploration of the different characteristics, all this constitutes a different culture. They require only senses. Port Wines are to be appreciated, enjoyed, shared, which needs time and relaxation.
- There are so many varieties, how can I choose?
It is a fact, there are indeed many varieties. Although each occasion, more often, asks for a specific one. If you have never tried Port Wines or if you tried only a couple, probably it will not make much sense to aim at an old Vintage or Tawny. In the other hand, if you do not appreciate a more evident presence of alcohol, you will not want a Ruby or Classic. We will gladly help you through the choice according to your preferences.
- The older the better?
Not necessarily. Some years were exceptional and produced exceptional wines, but some others were not. Just because the wine dates back in time does not mean it has to be good, if it comes from a not that great year and the wine is old, it might not be good at all. Plus, always pay especial attention to whom you buy the Port Wines from, they should be kept in certain conditions, and the person selling you the wine should be able to percept from your words what are your tastes. There are a few remarks one should bear in mind. The closest parallel to wines that can be made is with people. Just like people, wines are strong and full of life when they are young, although they lack in character, in bouquet, in depth. The range of flavours and smells will inevitably be narrower, for the wine was not given time yet to evolve. An older wine will lack in strength, in tannin, is astringency, will tend to loose its colour becoming more golden, but will most definitely be deeper, suggest much more flavours, smoother, with a bigger harmony. These are facts, scientifically this is how wine evolves in the bottle. Although as people eventually die, wine's life expectation is also limited, there is only so long that a wine gains by being stored. A Vintage 1966 is just now reaching some of its potential, while a Vintage 1979 should be consumed as soon as possible. Another issue is the occasion for drinking the wine. Generically every moment is perfect for enjoying Port Wine, but there are moments and Moments. For a casual drink, to open a harvest 1983 might be an exaggeration, given the fact that the wine should be Enjoyed.
- Shall I buy the oldest Port Wine I can afford?
No. If the question is “shall I buy the oldest good year I can afford?”, the answer is: if you trust the store you are buying the wines from, and if you have the possibility to store the wine at home: Yes! Great Port Wines should be enjoyed in great moments… it is up to you to decide what a great moment is.
- Are the Vintages the best Port Wines?
It is not about being the best Port Wine or not. Vintages are exceptional wines, wines that are so brilliant that require only a minimal period in oak casks before being bottled for years. A 40 Year Old Tawny, for example, is also an amazing wine. 40 years in oak casks give to these wines a breathtaking range of bouquet, starting on a slight vegetable touch, all the way to intense wood and burnt, chocolate and so on.
- What is the difference between a young Port Wine and an old Port Wine?
The same difference that exists between a young person and an old one. A great old Port Wine is a consequence of a great young Port Wine. To reach an old age the Port Wine has to be strong in character while young, with great tannins, very powerful and robust, very often it is a closed shy wine or with a concentrated bouquet. During the ageing in bottle many are the transformations that the wine undergoes. Certain elements get combined and form different flavours, the wood notes that one can find distinctly in young wines get blended with the others flavours giving to the wine a toasted overall flavour. The vibrancy and power give place to a peaceful and serene wine, that is not aggressive anymore, that became smooth and silken, more complex.
- When should I drink Port Wine?
Every moment is a perfect moment to drink Port Wine. There are not any rules or constraints. Some Port Wines can be consumed as aperitifs, generically all go very well with cheeses (the cheese should fit the Port Wine to be served, it should not be a strong cheese for a smooth wine), they are all great digestives, or they can be consumed alone. Special wines ask for special moments, the notion of “special” has to be arbitrary.
- Do Port Wines require any special care while opened?
Ruby Ports, Classic Ports, White Ports and some 10 Year Old Tawnies, generally do not require any special care after being opened. These are wines that will last for some time without losing their quality. 20, 30 and 40 Year Old Tawnies will still last for some time, although not as long as the ones mentioned before. Harvests, Late Bottled Vintages and Vintages, are wines to be consumed quickly, meaning, after opening the bottle the wines should be consumed in a matter of days, up to a couple of months (if opened this long, the wines will present different characteristics). The best way to handle opened bottles of Port Wine is definitely to keep its interior in vacuum. For this effect there are in the market vacuum pumps specific for wines, together with proper caps.
- How can I store a Port Wine?
As every other wine that one pretends to store, some special conditions must be created. Basements are generically good choices, but not the only ones. The room that will shelter the wines must be odourless and dark, for the all wines are photosensitive – especially wines are ultraviolet-sensitive (even when the bottles are darkened), but with capability of air circulation. The temperature should be controlled within 10º and 13º, and maintained within these brackets throughout the year. If achieving these temperature levels constitutes a problem, bear in mind that it is better to maintain a constant temperature of 17º or 18º, then to have a temperature fluctuation of 10º to 20º, for example. The humidity should be controlled around 70%, in order to keep the corks in good state (humidity higher than this might contribute for the appearance of insects). The bottles should be kept horizontally so the cork in contact with the wine maintains its elasticity, and they should be rotated around a third of a complete turn (120º) every 3 months.
- Do I need special glasses to enjoy Port Wines?
Wines are mixtures of many elements, substances, not just one element that behaves homogenously. In the other hand, our perception of the aromas and flavours are the result of interactions between molecules of those elements and certain nervous terminations in our mouth and nose. The substances that constitute the wine have different properties, such as volatility (capacity of evaporation), some substances evaporate from the surface of the wine close to the glass, while other evaporate around the centre of the surface of the wine. These constant evaporations create a stream that should be retained inside the glass so our senses can absorb it. Different wines should require different glasses. In the case of Port Wines, glasses should have a “tulip shape” or be fairly wide in the bottom and narrow in the edge, in both cases the glasses are designed so one can swirl the wine in order to favour the already mentioned evaporations. As a rule, glasses for all wines should be transparent and free of any kind of drawings are glass effects.
