An introduction to Port

Port is a sweet (usually) red wine from the Douro valley in northern Portugal. It was shipped from the city of Porto, which is where it gets its name from. This unique style of wine has its roots in the 17th century when England was at war with France and so turned to its oldest ally Portugal as a source of wine. At first the British bought local wines from around the city but more intrepid merchants travelled up country to the heat of the Douro valley to find stronger and riper wines. Brands which still exist today like Sandeman, Taylor’s, and Warre’s have their roots in these pioneering times. Gradually a sweet fortified wine evolved which became immensely popular back in Britain and across the world.