Taste 9: Graham’s 2007 Vintage Port

Port has been a libation in my life lately because it’s one of his favorite after dinner drinks.  The word also seems to come up frequently in conversations, like when my dad told me I’m a sailor who’s been out to sea and is now in port…enjoying myself, of course, before heading back out to sea. Or, an esteemed sommelier friend who compared love to a “port” during a storm… I suppose it turned out to be an opportune time to add a bottle of Port to my bottle collection, or home bar.

I asked him if he preferred a Ruby or Tawny Port, and he said Tawny.  Easy enough… right? I rode over to The Boulder Wine Merchant because that is the place to go in town if you have serious wine questions. After a 30 minute discussion/lesson on Port wine, I decided to buy a Graham’s 2007 Vintage Port.  Here’s why: If it’s a remarkably noteworthy year, they bottle a “Vintage.” Otherwise, it becomes a Tawny or Ruby.  The W & J Graham’s website says “2007 will be remembered particularly for its cool, damp summer. Nice long periods of sunshine in September and October allowed ripening to proceed normally, and although a bit later than usual, the vintage took place under perfect conditions, the fruit being beautifully balanced.”

I also decided it was appropriate to enjoy this fine port in proper port glasses, so I bought a couple beautiful Riedel port wine glasses from The Peppercorn.  And, of course, we headed right over to Cured for the tenth taste of how much I care…