Port, Sherry and Madeira Reviews

They're from different regions, but all are fortified wines: Port is from the Douro Valley, Portugal; Sherry is from Jerez, Spain; and Madeira comes from its namesake Portuguese island. While sherry is typically enjoyed as an aperitif before meals, port is often served with dessert or cheese, and is known for its rich, sweet flavor and dense mouthfeel. Madeira, on the other hand, is usually considered a postprandial wine but it can be good paired with a meal. GAYOT has tasted and rated these top wines to help you pick the best of the bunch.

Croft Reserve Tawny Porto
Combining the rich character of an aged tawny with ready-to-drink smoothness and spice, Croft Reserve Tawny Porto is sourced from the highest-quality individual growers in the Douro Valley. It is aged an average of 7 years in seasoned oak casks and then blended to guarantee consistency and quality. The result is a complex and enjoyable tawny port that has flavors of strawberry jam, cardamom, butterscotch and red currant.

Dow's 2009 Late Bottle Vintage Port
Made from grapes sourced from the finest estates in the Douro Valley, this deep ruby-hued, late vintage port was aged for four to six years in seasoned oak casks, imparting rich flavors of ripe and dried fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla and a hint of spice.

Port Pairings
Do you have a great bottle of Port? Wondering what food would make a great accompaniment? Check out these suggestions.

Read more

Quinta de la Rosa's vineyards climb steep, terraced hillsides in the Douro Valley

Quinta de la Rosa Vintage 2009 Port
Aged in oak for 18 months before bottling, this robust and ripe port boasts complex black cherry and cedar notes and a long, smooth finish. 5,000 bottles produced.

V. Sattui 1998 Vintage Port boasts flavors of blackberry, cherry and a hint of espresso

V. Sattui 1998 Vintage Port
An intense blend of flavors includes blackberry, cherry, hints of espresso and chocolate syrup with a nice, acidic bite of orange. A fairly rich drink, this Port-style wine would pair nicely with simple desserts.

Poças Ruby Porto is barrel-aged for three years

Poças Tawny Porto
A family-owned winery in Portugal's famed Douro Valley, Poças produces a number of inexpensive ports like this Tawny, which works well for everyday drinking.

Related Content:

Top Rated Ports and Sherries

Aperitifs

Digestifs

TOP 10 CRAFT BEERS

Sip on GAYOT's picks of the best small-production craft beers.

TOP 10 TEQUILAS UNDER $100

Sip straight or mix up a margarita with GAYOT's picks of the best tequilas under $100.