Rosé

Pink Port

The latest trend in Port wine is the so-called Pink Port – a Rosé made just like Port wine. The Port Wine Institute doesn't often allow the creation of new types of Port wine, but with this type, they made an exception, and many of us are excited about it. Pink Port is actually a Ruby, but it is fermented at a low temperature and with short contact with the grape skins. As a result, its color is more pink than a typical Ruby. Pink Port is the youngest type of Port wine and is often only about a year old when it is ready to drink. The wine is filtered at bottling and therefore does not develop further in the bottle.

Taste

Rosé doesn’t taste like any of the other types of Port wine and is very atypical in this regard. It has no barrel aging and is ready to drink just a year after the grapes are harvested. Pink Port has a strong flavor of fresh raspberries and strawberries and is sweet in a completely different way from other Port wines. It’s not particularly dense in structure and, in many ways, doesn’t have much to do with Port wine – other than its production site and alcohol content. But if you compare it to other rosé wines, it’s a completely different story, as rosé Port wine is usually far superior. It’s stronger in both flavor and structure, and you get much more wine for your money. Chill the wine, and it’s excellent for enjoying on the terrace on a summer day.

What is Rosé Port Wine?

Rosé Port wine is a Port wine with a light salmon color and flavor notes of, among other things, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and caramel. Its light, fresh berry flavor sets it apart from other Port wine types. Rosé Port wine is made from the same red grapes used for Ruby Port, but rosé Port has only had brief contact with the skins and must of the red grapes. It’s this contact that gives the Port wine its salmon or darker pink color. Rosé Ports are typically aged for no more than a year in barrels, making it the youngest type of Port wine. Compared to a regular rosé wine, rosé Port wine is much stronger in both flavor, structure, and aroma.

How to Drink Rosé Port Wine?

Rosé Port wine should be enjoyed ice-cold at 4-6 degrees Celsius, as this enhances the berry flavors. A rosé Port wine is ready to drink when you buy it – it’s not very durable and should not be kept for many years in the cellar. The salmon-colored Port wine is perfect as part of a cocktail, including as a substitute for rum in a classic mojito. Rosé Port can also be added to a drink with a good tonic and plenty of ice.