Port is a type of fortified wine that is manufactured exclusively in Portugal. Just as bubbly must come from the Champagne region of France to be called Champagne, so too must the grapes be grown and processed in the Douro region of Portugal to bear the Port label. Only in the United States can port come from anywhere in the world.
The wine is fortified by adding aguardente to the vats to stop fermentation. This leave more of the grapes’ natural sugar in the mix and gives the final product a higher alcohol content.
Brandy, on the other hand, is made by distilling wine. This is the same process used to make whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and other spirits.
After the wine has fermented, distillation removes a significant amount of water and boosts the alcohol content. This is why alcohol manufactured by distillation is called “hard” liquor.
So, there you have it. Two drinks that go nicely together because they are both sourced from the same ingredient – wine. Port is a dessert wine and Brandy a classic after-dinner drink, so mixing them actually makes quite a bit of sense.
As an added bonus, Brandy and Port is said to cure an upset stomach – another reason to go ahead and have a sip after a heavy meal.
Here’s what you need:
Ingredients
- 45ml Port
- 30ml Brandy
Preparation
- Pour the Port into a Brandy snifter.
- Add the Brandy.
- Twirl the glass gently to mix.
