The Warmth Of Port

Port is a great drink for this time of year. Its' warm, rich color is alluring and inviting.It has a sweet cinnamon taste with a dash of spiciness to it like a rich holiday cookie Port is also an excellent holiday drink as well, being the perfect dessert wine. You can serve it with dinner or afterward s with cheese or better yet homemade shortbreads.

It was the topic of the great Eric Asimov ( I really like his column) Pour, the Dining section's spirits column. He mentions vintage port which is big amongst affectionados.These are called tawnies because of their reddish brown color and have to be aged in wooden casks for at least ten years. This mellows them and softens their fieriness.A good tawny is about twenty years old.

Mr Asimov also throws in some interesting port recipes. They are Hot Port Sangaree and along with St Charles Punch and a cocktail simply called St.Valentine. The first is more of a hot mead like drink that combines the wine ,pomegranate ,molasses and Angostura bitters. The second is a punch famous at the St Charles Hotel of New Orleans.It sounds tasty with its' mix pf port, Cognac and lemon juice.. St Valentine is just port rum and Grand Marnier with a splash of lime. This last would be a good foil with extra salty appetizers.

Buy a lush bottle of port this holiday season.It is good on its as a dessert wine. It 's also good mixed with other liqueurs for a delicious and heady cocktail