Many of my customers ask me, “Why are you calling your organic Port wine a dessert wine or Port ‘style’ wine?” I generally have to take a deep breath first before I calmly explain that I would love to call my Port just Port, but the term Port is now copyright protected as of 2005. Only wine that comes from the region of Portugal can now be labeled as Port. If your vineyard/label existed before the 2005 date, then you are “grandfathered” into the usage of the name Port. Officially I have to call my organic Port wine, Port style wine.
Our organic Port wine is made from 3 Portuguese grape varietals, fortified with organic grape brandy and has an alcohol content of about 18%. Still, I must call it Port style. A big disadvantage, when it comes to introducing the wine to customers. Who “googles” Port style wine or dessert wine? Even several of my vendors do not display my Port in their Port section in their store.
So, it has been my quest to go to as many tastings, open houses, and fundraisers as possible that are willing to feature our wine. Doing a wine tasting is so fun! I especially love it when people approach me and then say, “Oh, I don’t normally drink Port.” Once coached, they have this big facial transformation once they sip/taste/drink our organic Port wine. My favorite comments from the tastings are: “Berry, chocolate, plummy,” “Smooth, goes down nice,” “Lingers, balanced, not too sweet,” “Delicious,” “Yummy,” and “Gimme more!”