José Gourmet Vinho do Porto Branco - White Port. Port wine from white grapes for an aperitif – serve well-chilled neat or as a Portonic with tonic water.
Vinho do Porto Branco - White Port is a white port wine from the Douro Valley with 19.5% vol. in a 500 ml bottle. We feature it in the product range of the Portuguese brand José Gourmet. It is drunk well-chilled as an aperitif or mixed with tonic water, ice, and lemon to make a Portonic.
White Port is the light, often overlooked side of port wine. Like all port, it originates from the Douro Valley in northeastern Portugal. During fermentation, grape brandy is added, which stops the process. This leaves some of the grape's sweetness in the wine and increases the alcohol content. The difference from the well-known red port lies in the grapes: only white grape varieties are used for the Branco. In the bars of Porto and Lisbon, it is especially popular as a Portonic. It is part of the aperitif culture there, served well-chilled or as a long drink with tonic.
Taste
White port is lighter, fresher, and fruitier than a barrel-aged Tawny. It shimmers light to golden in the glass. On the palate, the sweetness of the port meets the intensity of 19.5% vol. Cold temperature takes the heaviness out of the sweetness and brings the fruit to the fore, which is why it is best served well-chilled.
In a Portonic, its character changes again. The tonic adds bitterness and carbonation, while the port provides sweetness and body. The result is a light, sparkling long drink with less alcohol than a glass served neat. Anyone expecting a dry, lean white wine will be disappointed by the Branco: it is a fortified wine with noticeable sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve white port neat, well-chilled at about 6 to 8 °C, in a small white wine glass. Pair it with salted almonds, green olives, or a few slices of air-dried ham. The saltiness of the snacks and the sweetness of the wine complement each other perfectly.
To make a Portonic, fill a large glass with ice. Pour in one part white port and about two parts tonic water. A slice of lemon or orange and a sprig of mint finish it off. For a more bitter taste, use more tonic; for a rounder taste, more port wine.
The Branco also goes well with tinned appetizers. A fish pâté on toasted bread and a cold Portonic make for a perfect Portuguese evening.
Our tip: Place the bottle in the fridge in the morning. Once opened, keep it tightly sealed in the fridge and drink within the following weeks.
Origin
Port wine must come from the Douro Valley. The vineyards there are situated on steep, terraced slopes along the river. The wine gets its name from the city of Porto at the mouth of the Douro.
We carry white port in the José Gourmet assortment. This Portuguese brand is best known for its illustrated tinned fish and pâtés; it is backed by the company 100MISTERIOS, Lda. The brand states that it selects artisanal products and aims to act as a bridge between producers and connoisseurs. This fits well with port wine: tinned fish, pâté, and a glass of wine belong at the same table in Portugal.
For whom?
The Branco is the perfect bottle for a summer evening, a barbecue, or the start of a meal with friends. It is for anyone who has previously only known port as a sweet dessert wine and would like to try the lighter side. As a gift, it is perfect for hosts who enjoy offering an aperitif.
If you prefer a glass for dessert, choose the 10-Year-Old Port, a golden-brown Tawny. The 4-Piece Fish Pâté Gift Set is a great accompaniment for an aperitif. You can find more from the brand on our José Gourmet page.
Port wine is a wine fortified with grape brandy. It contains sulfites. Sale is permitted from age 18. Not suitable for pregnant women, children, adolescents, or anyone abstaining from alcohol.
White port from the Douro Valley – well-chilled neat or as a Portonic, the Portuguese aperitif for warm evenings.
