There are many types of Port Wine made from over 52 varieties of grapes. Some of the most popular port grapes that go into the making of port wine include Touriga Nacional, Tinta Rorizaka Tempranillo, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão. Each port grape variety, they say, adds a unique flavour to the blend.

Along with the likes of Sherry and Madeira, port wine is a delectable dessert wine. Moreover, it has far more to offer than just being a digestif; after a heavy and sumptuous meal.

Different Types of Port Wine

And how do these port wines differ in taste? Which Port wines should you be stocking?

Go on to find all about Port wine, it’s vibrant history, the grape varieties, and how and where Port wine is made? Discover the best Port wines to buy in 2022. And the easiest way to buy Ports wines. like a Nevertheless Dom Perignon is the most sought-after Port wine.

What is Port Wine?

Port wine is a sweet, fortified wine exclusively produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Port wine is usually enjoyed as a dessert wine because of its richness. However, some types of Port wine can be served as an aperitif as well, almost like a Beaujolais Nouveau!

History of Port Wine

The word “Port” was added in the 17th century after the seaport city of Porto. Porto City is located at the mouth of the Douro River. The wine used to be transported down the river from Douro Valley in boats called ‘Barcos Rabelos’ for trading in the city of Porto.

Port wine eventually became popular in England when the war with France reduced supplies of French wine. However, it is the Methuen Treaty of 1703 that strengthened the Port wine trade. 

The Port wine trade in that era was dominated by powerful shipping families. It is why Port producers are still called “shippers.” Most of these shippers were British, and which you can amply see it reflected in the names of the many popular Port wines.

Famous Port Wine Producing Regions

Authentic Port wine is unique to Portugal. However, Port-style wine is now made in many other parts of the world as well.

Authentic Port Wine comes from grapes cultivated in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Douro became an official appellation in the year 1756. It is the third oldest protected wine region in the world after Chianti in Italy, and Tokaj in Hungary. 

Douro as such has three official Port wine production zones:

• Cima Corgo
• Baixo Corgo
• Douro Superior

Port Grapes grown in Baixo Corgo are mainly used for Ruby and Tawny Port wines. Grapes grown in Cima Corgo are of higher quality and used for making Vintage, Reserve, Aged Tawny, and Vintage Port wines. But the Douro Superior is the least cultivated grapes of the three zones.

Other Regions Making Port Style Wines

Only Portuguese wine can be labelled ‘Port’ or ‘Porto,’ according to the European Union’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) guidelines.

Nevertheless, Port-style wines are also produced in other countries like Australia, Argentina, Canada, India, Spain, South Africa, and the U.S.A. 

However, a winemaker of Port-style wine cannot be labeled as “Port,” unless it was made before 2006. However, the wine can be named as Port style wine. 

Port Wine Grape Varieties

There are over 50 sanctioned varieties for Port wines made from a unique blend of indigenous Portuguese grapes. However, the most cultivated of these red wine grapes are listed here:

• Touriga Nacional:
• Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo):
• Tinta Barroca:
• Tinta Cão:
• Touriga Franca:

White Port Wine, however, uses the following varieties:

• Rabigato
• Esgana-Cão
• Donzelinho Branco

The Making of Port Wine

To extract the juice harvested grapes are sometimes pressed by foot. Subsequently, the juice is fermented for several days until alcohol levels reach around seven percent.

A clean, young wine neutral grape spirit is then added to the resulting base wine. It fortifies, stops fermentation, and further boosts the alcohol content to release the residual sugar that is present in the wine. While the fortified spirit is called brandy, it is nothing like the commercial brandy you get in the market.

This fortified wine is then stored in barrels or oak casks. It is then aged for around 18 months following which they are blended with other batches to create the final Port wine. This wine is then bottled or is aged for a longer period in casks.

Styles of Port Wine

Port wine comes in various styles regulated by the Institute of Douro and Port Wines (IVDP).

• Ruby Port Wine: It is the most produced and least pricey Port wine type. Ruby Port wine is usually aged in steel or concrete tanks. This is to prevent oxidative aging. And to preserve the fruitiness and bright red colour of wine. The Ruby Port wine is then refined, and cold filtered before bottling. Ruby does not generally improve with the aging process.
• Reserve Ruby Port Wine: It is a premium Ruby Port wine. And is typically aged for about 4-6 years in wood. Reserve Ruby Port Wine must be approved by the Câmara de Provadores, the IVDP’s tasting panel to be termed ‘Reserve’.
• Tawny Port Wine: It is a very sweet, barrel-aged Port wine that is made from red grapes. Tawny Port wine has ‘nutty’ flavours gained from exposure to oxygen while it stays in the barrel. It is golden-brown in colour. Tawny Port wine is labelled without an age. This category is a blend of Port wine that has been barrel-aged for three years at least. Reserve Tawny Port wine on the other han is aged about seven years. Older Port wines will have its age stated on the label, like 10, 20, 30 or 40 years respectively.
• Colheita Port Wine: It is a single-vintage tawny port wine. It is barrel-aged aged for seven years at least. Unlike Tawny Port wines with an age category, Colheita Port wine has the vintage year labelled on the bottle. But don’t get confused between Colheita Port and Vintage Port. Vintage Port spends about 18 months in a barrel after harvesting. It then continues to mature in a bottle. Colheita Port wine can spend years in a barrel before bottling.
• White Port Wine: It is made from white wine grapes and comes in various styles. From dry to sweet, White Port wine is produced from a single grape harvest. It aged in huge tanks to obtain the colour of a straw. Reserve White Port wine requires seven years of aging at least to gain a nutty flavour.
• Rosé Port Wine: It is a new style of Port wine that was first released in 2008 by the Croft Port house. Rosé Port Wine is made like a rosé wine. With limited exposure to grape skins that give it a colour of the rose.
• Vintage Port Wine: This wine is produced from grapes of a ‘declared’ single vintage year. It is sourced from different Quintas. Vintage Port Wine is then aged in barrels or stainless steel for up to two and a half years at least before bottling. Vintage is then aged for another 10-40 years in the bottle while it continues to gain complexity as grape solids slowly decompose in wine.
• Single Quinta Vintage Port Wine: This Port wine is made the same way as Vintage Port wine. But it is produced from a single vineyard. Single Quinta Vintage Port wine comes in years that Vintage is not declared.
• LBV or Late Bottled Vintage Port Wine: LBV Port wine spends four to six years at least in a barrel before bottling. Whereas Vintage Port wine is bottled after two years of time. LBV Port during this period matures and settles down, unlike Vintage Port wine that is ready to drink when bottled. LBV Port wine, does not need to be decanted and comes at a lower price.
• Crusted Port Wine: This Port wine is sometimes also called Vintage Character Port wine. It is a blend of wines that’s spent a minimum of four years of aging in a barrel. Crusted Port wine is bottled unfiltered and cellared for at least three years before being let out in the market. It can often take a decade or more for the ‘crust’ to form in the bottle. This indicates that the wine will keep on improving with age.
• Garrafeira Port Wine: This Port wine is rare and unusual. It is vintage-dated Garrafeira and as per the IVDP standards, it is required to spend about 3-6 years of aging in wood. It has to then spend another eight years in glass. Demijohns that are large, narrow-necked bottles before bottling. As of now only the Niepoort family produces this style of Port wine. Many describe Garrafeira Port wine as tasting like bacon due to oils that may form across the glass. It usually happens during the second phase of maturation. 

Vintage Port Wines

‘Vintage’ has a very distinct meaning for Port wines. Let’s explore here what that means in the context of Port Wines.

While most Port wines are bottled and released as non-vintage wine without any year on its label, Vintage Port wine is made only in the best years. It may be only a few per decade in contrast to the ‘second wines’ of Bordeaux producers. These are released as year-labelled top wine almost every year alongside wines of lesser quality in some years.

Whenever a Port house considers its wine to be good enough for vintage, they send samples to the IVDP for approval. Only then the house declares the vintage, and the year appears on the bottle.

‍Port wine is a sweet wine. It is full-bodied and usually lacking in acidity. Port wines can have aromas of dried fruit, plum and spice with flavours of blackberry, caramel, and chocolate sauce. However, this depends on the style of port.

Here are the flavour profiles for different types of port wines: 

• Ruby Port: It is red Port wine and tastes of berries, spice and chocolate.
• Tawny Port: These wines offer more caramel and nut flavours with dried fruit.
• White Port: These wines have bright flavours like apple, citrus peel, and toasted nuts.
• Vintage Port: Excellent wines that have a wide array of flavours, including almond, butterscotch, graphite, and green peppercorn.

Stocking Port Wine

Only Vintage Port wines and not LBV are designed for aging in the bottle. They can typically be aged for up to 30 or 40 years. Few of the most prized Vintage Port wines are over a century old. However, most of the Port wines with a plastic-top cork cap are bottled for immediate drinking. Only Vintage Port wines are meant for aging and will have a regular, long cork.

Best Port Wines to Buy in 2022

Some of the finest Port wines tend to be Vintage Port wine. But there are other great choices too that are great.

• Niepoort Garrafeira Port Wine: This wine house was established by Dutch immigrants in 1842. It is a family-owned maker of table and Port wines in the Douro Valley. They are well known for their Vintage, Colheita and tawny Port wines. The Garrafeira Port offers a fine, complex, yet balanced notes of spices, plums, red fruits, chocolate, and cigar box. It goes soft on the palate, is elegant, with silky tannins. The wine blends wonderfully to an acidity, alongside giving freshness and a long, pleasant finish. Niepoort Garrafeira Port Average Price – $600+
• Taylor Fladgate 40-Year-Old Tawny Port Wine: This wine house is a renowned Port producer noted for its wide range of ports from Vintage to Tawny Ports of varying ages. But mostly well-known for creating the LBV Port wine style. The wine is produced at the famed Quinta de Vargellas estate. It offers a structure, depth and complexity that is unique when compared to other Vintage Port wines in the region. This wine with notes of dried apricot is an aromatic, sweet, aged tawny. It is balanced and round. And finishes with acidity and tension. Taylor Fladgate 40-Year-Old Tawny Port Wine Average Price – $200+
• Quinta do Noval 40-Year-Old Tawny Port Wine: Quinta do Noval was established in 1715. It is one of the few Port houses to be located within Douro Valley. Named after its most famed vineyard, the Quinta do Noval, this winehouse is best known for its Nacional Vintage Ports. The Quinta do Noval 40-Year-Old Tawny Port wine aged tawny is full-bodied. It is rich and sweet, alongside offering a complex nutty bouquet reminiscent of mint and almonds. Quinta do Noval 40-Year-Old Tawny Port Wine Average Price – $160+
• Real Companhia Velha Royal Oporto Quinta das Carvalhas Vintage Port 1970: Founded in 1756, Real Companhia Velha is the oldest wine company in Portugal. Quinta das Carvalhas in Pinhão has existed since 1759 and has some wines that are over 100 years old. This 1970 Vintage Port wine is firm and fruity. It is a very full-bodied Port wine with great flavour and texture, and rich with good fruit. Real Companhia Velha Royal Oporto Quinta das Carvalhas Vintage Port’s Average Price – $150+

Van Zellers VZ 40 Years Old Tawny Port Wine: Van Zellers has been trading Port wine since the early 18th century. However, it was officially established as a Port Wine shipper in 1780. Their produce was sold to other wine merchants in the mid-19th century, Eventually, the company was reacquired by the Van Zeller family in the 1930s. Aged Tawny displays a softened, mellow texture with a complex nose of dry fruits, such as nuts hazelnuts, and almonds, blended with the aroma of white chocolate, and tobacco. Van Zellers VZ 40-Years-Old Tawny Port Average Price – $100+

Organic white wine has become increasingly popular in recent years, as consumers become more aware of the benefits of organic farming practices and seek out healthier and eco-friendly options. Made from organically grown grapes, organic white wine is free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides, making it a safer and more sustainable choice for both the environment and our health. In this post, we’ll explore the unique flavors and benefits of organic white wine, and why it’s worth trying.

Organic white wine is produced using grapes grown without the use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides, which can have harmful effects on the environment, wildlife, and human health.

Instead, organic farmers use natural fertilizers, such as compost and animal manure, and practice sustainable farming techniques to maintain soil health and protect biodiversity. Organic farming also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and promote healthier ecosystems.

The taste of organic white wine varies depending on the grape variety and region where it’s produced. Organic white wines tend to have a crisp, clean taste, with fruity and floral notes. They are often less acidic than conventionally produced wines, which can be attributed to the fact that organic grapes are grown in healthier soil and are not exposed to synthetic chemicals that can alter the taste of the wine.

Some of the most popular grape varieties used to produce organic white wine include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling.

One of the biggest benefits of organic white wine is that it’s healthier for both the environment and our bodies. By choosing organic wine, we are supporting sustainable farming practices that protect soil health, biodiversity, and water resources.

We are also reducing our exposure to synthetic chemicals and pesticides, which have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological disorders.

In addition to its eco-friendliness and health benefits, organic white wine is also a delicious and versatile beverage that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of foods. Its crisp, clean taste makes it a great match for light seafood dishes, salads, and vegetarian cuisine. It’s also a perfect choice for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and summer parties.

When it comes to choosing organic white wine, there are several factors to consider. Look for wines that are certified organic by reputable organizations, such as the USDA, EU Organic, or Demeter. These certifications ensure that the wine has been produced according to strict standards and has met rigorous criteria for environmental sustainability and health.

You can also look for wines that are produced using biodynamic farming practices, which take organic farming to the next level by incorporating holistic principles, such as lunar cycles, into the growing process.

In conclusion, organic white wine is a delicious and sustainable choice that offers a range of benefits for both our health and the environment. Its delicate flavors, crisp taste, and versatility make it a perfect addition to any meal or occasion.

By choosing organic wine, we are not only supporting sustainable farming practices, but also enjoying a healthier and more eco-friendly beverage. So, go ahead and raise a glass of organic white wine to your health and the planet!

When it comes to sustainability, organic red wine has several advantages over conventionally-grown wine. By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic farming practices protect soil health and prevent chemical runoff that can harm nearby water sources.

Additionally, organic farms often use renewable energy sources and prioritize biodiversity by preserving natural habitats for wildlife.

In contrast, conventional wine production can be incredibly resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers can pollute soil and water, and contribute to climate change through the production and transportation of these synthetic inputs.

Furthermore, large-scale wineries often rely on monoculture farming practices that can harm local ecosystems and reduce biodiversity.

If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your wine consumption, choosing organic red wine is one way to make a positive change.

Look for labels that indicate the wine is certified organic, biodynamic, or produced using sustainable farming practices. By supporting sustainable wine production, you can help protect the planet for future generations.

Organic red wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Instead, organic farmers use natural methods such as composting, cover crops, and beneficial insects to nourish the soil and protect the vines. This results in healthier grapes and a more sustainable ecosystem.

One of the main reasons to try organic red wine is that it’s better for your health. By avoiding harmful chemicals, organic wine is less likely to cause allergic reactions or contribute to chronic diseases. Plus, it often contains higher levels of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Another benefit of organic red wine is that it’s often of higher quality than conventionally-grown wine. Without the use of chemicals, the grapes can develop more complex flavors and aromas.

Additionally, organic wine producers often use traditional winemaking techniques that can result in a more authentic and artisanal product.

If you’re interested in trying organic red wine, look for labels that indicate the wine is certified organic by a reputable organization. Some popular certifications include USDA Organic, Ecocert, and Demeter. You can also ask your local wine shop or restaurant for recommendations.

When wine is fortified with brandy, it is known as Sherry. It can be made dry or very sweet, with various flavors and notes, from nuts and figs to melon or citrus seasoning. 

Sherry originated in the Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera. Authentic sherries acquire their complex flavor from ageing in a series of partially-filled casks. It allows the wine to make contact with the air. The process is meant to intensify the flavor.

The Solera Process

When winemakers add younger wines and rotate the barrels’ contents from newer to older, it is known as the Solera process. This eventually also determines when the sherry gets bottled. Adding brandy gives the sherry a spicy taste and the higher alcohol content is the final step in the process.

Older and more oxidized sherries include Amontillado and Palo Cortado. They also use more brandy, which gives them an earthy and tawny taste alongside increasing the amount of alcohol they contain.

Cooking Sherry

Sherry, as such, makes a great drink in its own right. Cooking sherry is a versatile ingredient often added to dishes to enhance flavors and add a touch of nuttiness or sweetness. Just like regular sherry, cooking sherry is a grape wine fortified with brandy.

The only difference between sherry and cooking sherry is that the latter has salt, potassium metabisulfite, and potassium sorbate. It is added to sherry for preserving the taste and extending the shelf life.

Characteristics of Cooking Sherry

Cooking Sherry has a sweet aroma and golden color. It tastes close to a dry drinking sherry with a nutty flavor. While most regular wines have closer to 12% alcohol content, cooking sherry brings the alcohol content to 17%. With a total fat content of zero and a total carbohydrate count of only 4 grams, cooking sherry is an ideal and light addition to a meal.

Drinking Sherry & Cooking Sherry

Cooking sherry has long been a popular ingredient in food. The alcohol within sherry evaporates when heated and leaves the flavor to seep into foods like sauces and stews. But cooking sherry only lasts a few days after the bottle is opened. Cooking sherry is therefore preserved with salt to make it last a little longer. Cooking sherry can add a sweeter taste to a dish, but the high sodium content discourages many from using it.

• Drinking Sherry: It was once considered the world’s best wine. And Sherry was William Shakespeare’s drink of choice at one time. Regular drinking sherry is aged, fortified, and supplemented with brandy (white wine). Sherry is primarily produced in Jerez de la Frontera, a city in southwestern Spain. Jerez de la Frontera has been a winemaking region for over 2,000 years. Sherry here is made from a variety of white grapes called Palomino grapes. They make sherry dry, like fino. Pedro Ximenez and Muscat grapes make sweet wines. Another rare variety of sherry is Palo Cortado. It is an accidental strain of sherry that loses oxidation during the fermentation process.
• Cooking Sherry: This type of sherry is strictly meant to be added to food. It is made with sherry wine and is of lower quality. Cooking sherry has salt and preservatives added to make it last several months after the bottle is uncorked. The sodium content of 180 mg per serving due to the addition of preservatives makes it unsuitable for drinking.

Best Cooking Sherries Available Online

Here is a handy Buyer’s Guide that will tell us about some of the best sherries available online.

• Columela Cooking Sherry: It is a premium standard, authentic sherry produced in Jerez, Spain, and has been steadily aged for 30 years in American Oak casks. Columela Sherry Vinegar undergoes a long, slow ageing process that allows the sherry to yield a deep color and a nutty and richly aromatic flavor. We can ideally use it to enhance stews, soups, sauces, casseroles, and dressings. Though it is a little expensive, little will go a very long way with this sherry.
• Napa Valley Sherry Vinegar: This cooking sherry vinegar is produced from Spanish Palomino grapes imparts an authentic taste. Aged to perfection in a series of white oak casks, the Napa Valley Sherry Vinegar is sharp and bright with a subtle hint of sweet fruit. It is perfect when added to pan sauces, as a salad dressing, or drizzled over a piece of flaky fish. It prides itself on quality while using ingredients from the world’s finest orchards and comes in an elegant wine bottle.
• Holland House Cooking Wine: It is excellent for trying new flavors and recipes if you’re new to cooking wines. Holland House is a famous pack of four cooking wines. It includes red, white, sherry, and marsala wines. Holland House cooking sherry has a light golden color and a sweet aroma. It offers hints of nuts and caramel and is excellent for adding depth to a variety of dishes. Holland House pairs perfectly with deserts to balance out the sweetness. And is great sauteed with brussels sprouts or succulent mushrooms.
• Reese Sherry Cooking Wine: This cooking wine is one of the highest-rated cooking sherries online. It is an excellent ingredient for adding a subtle sweetness to a range of dishes. Reese cooking sherry has a smooth texture and is not too overbearing, from stews to casseroles to roast meats. It is a good option if you are looking for versatile sherry that can be used in various dishes. Reese cooking sherry is made in the United States. It is a light, well-balanced sherry well preserved with salt, malic acid, potassium sorbate, and sodium metabisulfite. These preservatives ensure that it has a long shelf-life. And so, it’s great even if you’ll only be using it occasionally.

It is up to you to decide whether you want a mild cooking sherry, a nutty one, or a rich and complex sherry vinegar. Cooking sherries can range from a light golden hue to a dark whiskey color. This typically depends on the ageing process. The darker will be the color depending upon how long the sherry has aged.

Elderberry is that simple fleshy purple fruit used in folk traditions to treat colds, as well as a variety of other ailments. It is rich in antioxidants and can be made into a variety of treats, from pies and jellies to sweet wines.

Health Benefits of Elderberry

Let us look here at some of the major benefits of elderberry wine. Classic grapes are what spring to mind when we talk about wine. Grapes are by far the most common fruit associated with winemaking.

This does not mean that these are the only option we have. There are plenty of other fruits that are also used to make wine including dark berries, huckleberries, elderberries, blueberries, plums, pears, and apples.

Elderberry is a fine example that is used to make Elderberry wine. Just like the classic grape wine, elderberry wine is precisely perfect for the cold weather and pairs nicely with an assortment of delicacies and foods.

More About Elderberry Wine

The elderberry fruit has reasonable quantities of sugar and acid, excellent color, alcohol content, and excellent proportion of tannin levels to make it an ideal candidate for winemaking. 

What gives the elderberry wine medicinal properties to protect you from cancer, heart disease, inflammation, and other unforeseen illnesses?

High amounts of antioxidants and is what extensively contribute to the health-related benefits of consuming Elderberry wine. It should alone be a reason for you to try some elderberry wine. This is is a great one if you’ve ever needed an excuse to try.

Here are some of the key features of Elderberry wine that makes it stand out for what it is – 

• Balanced Components: Proper proportions of acidity, tannins, and alcohol is what makes fine wine. An excellent balance of these components in fruits makes them ideal and ultimate for winemaking. The main problem with some wines is that a majority are too alcoholic while a few are too tannic and that some are too acidic.From a genetic perspective, grapes are considered to be the best, while elderberries exhibit similar acidity and notes of tannins. Elderberry wines are therefore incredibly similar to their classic counterparts from grapes.
• Vitamins & Amino Acids: Elderberries contain considerable amounts of amino acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids and health-beneficial Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C as well. Elderberry wine is also a remedy for influenza. It reverses the effects of cold chills by inducing perspiration and warm elderberry wine is also a good cure for a sore throat. Elderberry wine is traditionally recognized as a curative agent for colds and a reliever for asthma and bronchitis.
• Appearance & Medicinal Properties: Remember that this wine has an alcoholic content and therefore overindulging can be destructive to overall health. Therefore, drink in moderation as there is likely no harm in a little bit of consumption. Taking at least a glass or two after nice creamy ice cream, or desserts following a dinner treat is recommended.
• Availability & Popularity: Elderberry wines seem to be rising in popularity and are now being favorably compared with other wines like Merlot and Cabernet made using blueberries and grapes. With a slightly smooth and sweet finish, Elderberry wine is quite distinct and intense. Nevertheless, it appears to have a good reputation with consumers as well as winemakers. Elderberry wine is now produced in large quantities with rising popularity. you’ll find an increasing number of suppliers who are stocking the elderberry variety.
• Reduces Inflammation: Tannins and flavonoids can help prevent damage to the cells of our body. Polluted air, stress, unhealthy foods, and substances like alcohol and tobacco are a cause inflammation in the body. Elderberry wine contains a variety of “bioactive” substances that provide protection. Harmful byproducts in the body can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer cellular damage can in turn generate free radicals. 
• Immunity Booster: Anthocyanin is a pigment with antioxidant effects that give elderberries their red, blue, purple, or black coloring. These are considered to prevent flu viruses from reproducing inside our bodies. It may also prevent the onset of flu or decrease the duration of its symptoms.
• Benefits on Heart Health: Make sure to check with a doctor before taking elderberry supplements to avoid any potential drug interactions or negative effects during the winter season before trying heart-healthy elderberry antioxidant supplements that give a boost to your immune system. Multiple studies have suggested that elderberries help lower blood pressure and prevent the onset or progression of heart disease.

Side Effects of Elderberry Wine

Allergies to elderberry wine are rare, but only the fruit and flowers of elderberry are edible. Ingesting raw or undercooked elderberry can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as the rest of the plant is poisonous. However, elderberry should not be combined with laxatives or diuretics. This enhances the effect of medicines.

People taking steroids or monoclonal antibodies should also avoid elderberry supplements as they could interfere with the original medication and multiply the risk of cellular damage. Beware if you decide to make elderberry syrup on your own since unripe or undercooked elderberries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

This is another significant variety of Crete grapes in Greece. Thrapsathiri is emerging as one of the region’s most promising and exciting wines. Shadowed by the more popular Vilana, Thrapsathiri Wine was misunderstood and falsely considered a relative of Athiri.

Nonetheless, solely based on its attributes, Thrapsathiri now draws the attention of many critics. It is widely used to make first-rate dry and occasionally sweet, white wines.

Being highly resistant to drought, the Thrapsathiri vine is ideally suited to even the warmest spots of Crete. However, winegrowers must produce concentrated fruit to respond poorly to high yields.

Thrapsathiri wines are pale lemon-green. They have a moderately intense nose and are thoroughly dominated by primary fruit. Mainly melon and peach. They have a whole body on the palate, notable alcohol content, and soft acidity.

From Chania to the west and Lasithi to the east, Thrapsathiri vines are grown all over Crete. The most acclaimed lot of the wines come from the PDO Sitia area. It is where white wines are blends of Vilana and Thrapsathiri. But several producers of the island notwithstanding make single varietal wines of Thrapsathirι.

Thrapsathirι grapes are rich round but not too intense or heavy. The wine is an excellent option for matching rich food that is too intense and complex to go down matching wine down the path of conventional food. 

Thrapsathirι is a perfect wine for relatively cold weather days as well. However, they have to be drunk within four years after the vintage. Nevertheless, some leading producers also make distinctive wines that can develop for over a decade.

More About Thrapsathiri

Thrapsathiri Vine is an ancient Greek grape variety originating from Crete. It was initially thought to be related to the Aegian island white variety Athiri. However, recent DNA evidence revealed that Thrapsathiri is not connected to Athiri. It is identical to the local grape Begleri of the Cyclades and also close to another grape variety Vidiano from Crete. Currently found in vineyards in the two eastern-most districts of Heraklion and Lassithi in Crete. It is also permitted in the southeast region of Lakonia in Peloponesse.

Thrapsathiri in the past formed blends with Vilana. This is another popular indigenous grape variety in Crete. However, Vilana is now increasingly vinified on its own. In some recent bottlings, Thrapsathiri nowadays is also found in partnership with Sauvignon Blanc since it can stand up very well to maturation and barrel fermentation.

The resulting wine from the mix is distinctive and aromatic. It is full-bodied with intense citrus and peach overtones. It is an exciting proposition for those looking for something new to discover.

The name Thrapsathiri is derived from the ancient Greek word “Thrapseros.” It means prolific and productive. And Athiri is a variety of grape widely planted throughout the Aegean region.

Heritage: A Prized Past

However, note-worthy that the dominant and high-productive white varieties of grapes in Crete are from the 12th – 18th centuries. They are identified by the umbrella term “Thrapsa.” These include the Athiri, Vilana, and the historic Malvasia di Candia. Which, along with Thrapsathiri, are some of the many components of the ancient Malvasia of Crete. Sweet wines from this region, in turn, were some of the most prized exports from the island during medieval times.

White Greek wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini is called Assyrtiko or Asyrtiko Wine. It is extensively planted in the volcanic-ash soil of Santorini and on other Aegean islands. Assyrtiko is also found in other scattered regions like the Chalkidiki of Greece.

Widely grown in the arid regions of Greece, Assyrtiko has a strong citrus flavour of lemons. Assyrtiko, coming from Santorini, also bears a seaweed-saline character. It is also found to develop orange blossom and peach flavours when grown on the mainland.

Most famously grown on the volcanic island of Santorini in the Aegean sea, Assyrtiko is arguably Greece’s most iconic and versatile wine grape variety. 

From fresh, minerally white wines to rich, nutty dessert wines known as Vinsanto, wines in this region are made in many styles. Assyrtiko is also occasionally seen in Retsina and is also found to be planted as far north as Drama in Greek Macedonia.

Advanced Age of Wines

The wines of Santorini are some of the oldest wines in Greece and can reach an age of 70 years. Assyrtiko can make some very complex wines since the advanced age of wines tends to affect the quality of wine as yields are reduced.

Unlike most of Europe, the spread of phylloxera has largely been prevented due to the harsh volcanic soils of the island’s vineyards. Moreover, the vines do not need to be grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstocks. The Santorini terroir offers up some challenges that have significantly affected wine growing. 

The Soil & The Region

The Santorini region on the Köppen climate scale is dry enough to be classified as a desert. It is also very windy here. Vine growers have adapted to these conditions by training their vines into “baskets.” They provide shelter from strong winds by winding the canes into walls around the fruit. The growers also space vines further apart because of the lack of water in the soil.

A peculiar feature of Assyrtiko is that it is very susceptible to oxidation. Santorini winemakers positively exploit this aspect in the making of sweet Vinsanto wines. Wine producers utilize this fact to create darker wines with fig, kirsch, chocolate, and coffee characteristics.

Versatile Variety of Grapes

Assyrtiko is an extremely versatile variety of grapes. With mineral, pear, apple and citrus blossom aromas and flavours, it can also be made into a dry wine that is yellow-gold in colour. Quite a few versions of the wine are fermented in barrels. Assyrtiko wines are naturally high on acidity and therefore can be aged for many years.

Often blended with the Athiri and Aidani grape varieties on its native Santorini, Assyrtiko wine comes in sweet and dry styles. However, these are usually only minor components of the blend, which are lower in acidity than their famous stablemate. They help tame some of Assyrtico’s natural vitality.  

Assyrtiko wines are also being crafted in a Retsina blend. But this trend appears to be falling from favour. More varietal Assyrtiko wines are now being made. Vines are being propagated from cuttings from Argyros Estate on Santorini into other countries like Australia and elsewhere.

Food Matches for Assyrtiko Wine

• Rock oysters with white-wine vinaigrette
• Korean pancakes with shellfish
• Fried halloumi cheese

Created in 1672 BC by an explosion that changed the world’s climate, the recent Greek wine revival is almost single-handedly down to the popularity of Assyrtiko wines made on the volcanic island of Santorini. 

Laying the Ground for Assyrtiko Vines

The unique soil composition of Santorini has made it one of the most individual regional styles of any wine region on the planet earth. Many pressures are being put on the Santorini wine industry. Including burgeoning tourism and outside winemakers.

Your first views of the Caldera, the half-moon shaped volcanic depression which outlines what remains of Santorini and neighbouring Thalassa, are captivating. A few miles away from the Caldera, the remains of the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri helps you realize quite how dramatic the explosion was.

Akrotiri city in the southern Mediterranean was destroyed in 1672 BC in what scientists say was one of the most devastating explosions in human history. It is hard not to wonder at the history and geological evolution that made them so unique and sought after as you taste the wines grown in this famous volcanic soil.

Greek wine is Santorini, and without a shadow of a doubt in the top five, Assyrtiko wine stands out right now.