How to Serve Port

Authentic port wine is grown in the Douro Valley of Portugal. Port is commonly recognized as a dark red, sweet dessert wine, but there are also white and tawny varieties. Wood port is aged in the bottle, while the small amount of vintage port that's made is aged briefly in wood before maturing in the bottle.

Instructions

1. Let your port wine stand undisturbed for 24 hours before serving. This allows the sediment in the bottle to settle on the bottom. Port must be decanted into another container before serving to avoid drinking any of the sediment.

2. Chill your port wine for 30 to 45 minutes before serving. It should be served at cool room temperature of 64 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Find a decanter in which to store your port wine. Gently remove the cork from the port bottle to avoid disturbing the sediment on the bottom.

4. Place a candle behind the decanter before you start pouring so you can see through the neck of the port bottle while you're pouring. Pour the port into the decanter in one motion and watch the neck so that none of the sediment comes out with the wine.

5. Serve the wine right away. The decanter should be placed in front of the host. Port wine glasses should be used which are slightly smaller than regular wine glasses.

6. Fill the glass of the person on your right if you are the host. Then serve yourself and pass the bottle to the person on your left. Each person at the table should serve himself and pass the bottle to the left until it again reaches the host.