Wed 26 Nov 2008
I’m not going to tell you what wines to drink with tomorrow’s Thanksgiving feast. Many other writers, in print and online, have done that. You’ve probably already laid in your selections anyway. What I will tell you, however, is what to drink
after dinner, with the pumpkin or sweet potato pie, or with cheese and walnuts, or to sip, sweet and savory, by itself.
The wine is question is the Churchill’s 10 Years Old Tawny Porto, from the house of Churchill Graham. Made from the traditional grapes of port — touriga nacional, touriga francesca, tinta roriz, tinta barroca and tinta cao — this immensely satisfying tawny displays an entrancing medium-to-dark amber color that harbors a glowing rusty garnet hue within. Aromas of apple and pear, toffee and toasted almonds and roasted plums waft from the glass. This port is smooth, dense and chewy, almost viscous; flavors of spicy fruitcake, figs and citron fill the mouth, deepened and darkened by a smoky, autumnal character and, at the bottom, a sublime note of bitter chocolate. Yes, it’s sweet, but moderately so, and as the port passes through your mouth, the sweetness lessens, so the finish is dry, even close to austere. Once opened, this bottle will last for two or three weeks. Excellent. About $35.
Imported by Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:05 am
You’re making me thirsty! Is 9 am too early to sip a glass of good Port?
November 26th, 2008 at 9:20 am
A bottle of Port has never lasted 2 or 3 weeks at this house. This one sounds like one not to be missed. Hope you and LL have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Ha, Big Mike, I should have said “theoretically” two or three weeks.
And Dale, since I was sipping this jewel at 7 a.m., I think 9 is perfectly appropriate!
A swell Thanksgiving to you both …
November 26th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Fredric,
A little leftover Port is definitely going to be consumed at tomorrow’s gathering–thanks again!
November 27th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I have it on good authority–my palate–that seven days is tops to leave an opened bottle of Port lying around.
Either it’s on good authority or on plain incompetence, but I never can get one to last any longer than that!