Port Now Fortified!
Port is a fortified wine. Fortified wines are made by adding a proportion of grape spirit, or brandy, to the wine at some point during the production process. The name comes from the harbour Porto this harbour is located in the City of Oporto . Some say Port was named after the city. The original wine region from which Port first came is called Douro. Today port wine is made in numerous countries; Canada has building a reputation for fine Port style wines .The Canadian Government reached an agreement with Portugal. Agreeing that only wines made in Douro maybe referred to as Port.
On December 31, 2013, the Canadian wine industry will no longer be able to use the terms “Port” and “Sherry”, as per the Canada-EU Wine and Spirits Agreement (CEWSA). Article 12(2) of CEWSA requires Canadian producers to stop using certain geographic indications in any market to describe or present wine.
In June, the final Fortified Wine Guidance Document was issued by the CVA Fortified Wine Committee to help ensure a smooth transition with full compliance to labelling laws and regulations. The new classifications (presently known as “Port’ and “Sherry”) are intended for the Canadian market, and may deviate slightly from more traditional classifications for these fortified wine products. Furthermore, flexibility has been provided for fortified wines to leave room for producers to vary their style of wine without undue restrictions.
1) Port will be replaced with Tawny, Ruby and Vintage for these styles of fortified wines produced and sold in Canada
2) Sherry will be replaced with the term Apera for these styles of fortified wine products produced and sold in Canada
This guidance is voluntary but will ensure compliance with federal regulations and avoid any unnecessary enforcement action from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA
The important fact here is that Canada produces a high quality level of fortified wines. Among the notable wines is Black Sage Vineyards Pipe made by winemaker Jason James. “Pipe” to reflect the time- honoured tradition of Port producers and the quality of this fine wine. The wine is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, usually the last grapes to be harvested, with a Brix level of 25 to 26. Partway
For years now we have enjoyed the fortified wines from La Frenz on the Naramata Bench. La Frenz was names Small Winery of the Year at the Riverside Wine Competition California both in 2012 and 2013.
NV Liqueur Muscat This unique fortified wine is produced in a Solera system, meaning the average age of the blend progressively becomes older. In other words, every year’s release has a percentage of our first vintage in 1999. The wine is aged in neutral oak barrels and is a blend of three Muscat varietals, the dominant one being the Schönberger grape
NV Tawny Port It has flavours of nuts,dates and dried fruits reminiscent of dark fruit cake infused with a butterscotch sauce. Tawny is a combination of vintages, it will not benefit from any additional cellaring. It shows the beautiful and complex characteristics that come from the multiple years spent in neutral barrels.
2013 Vintage Port estate grown Shiraz grapes which offer the mouth-watering aromatics of sweet blueberries with hints of white pepper. La Frenz's own custom-distilled brandy dosage adds fortification and complexity to the wine. The wine is sweet, but finishes dry on the palate.
One that we have not tried recently is Quails' Gate Estate Winery Fortified Vintage Foch This Fortified Vintage Foch was made in the traditional port style using very ripe Marechal Foch grapes
Unsworth Vineyards, BC n/v Ovation is one we have tasted a couple of times recently We can recommend it Gold Medal Winner, 2014 All Canadian Wine Championships
Known for our icewine Canada is rapidly gaining a reputation for its Sparking wines, ciders and fortified wines. Watch for the port-style wines come out of Quebec. One winery to watch is Coteau St-Paul, QC
At the 2020 All Canadian Double Gold for La Frenz Winery, BC N/V Tawny Port and Gold for their 2019 Vintage Port $27.90
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