Hollister
– Leal Vineyards has added its first port vintage to its
repertoire just in time for the holidays.
Hollister – Leal Vineyards has added its first port vintage to its repertoire just in time for the holidays.
Port, typically made in Spain and Portugal, is a dessert wine fortified with brandy to stop fermentation, thus creating a younger, sweeter wine, said Dan Payne, assistant wine maker at Leal. Leal uses the Portuguese grape variety Tinta Roriz, also known as Tempranillo in Spain, grown in California. This makes for a special and rare “California port.”
“This is the only true Portuguese grape varietal outside of Portugal,” Payne said.
The winery’s ruby style 2003 vintage port will be released to Club Leal members in December.
The port will come in gold wax tipped 375ml bottles, half the size of normal wine bottles, Payne said. Because port is fortified with brandy, it can be opened and re-corked to be enjoyed later with less fear of spoilage.
Payne said Leal’s port will have maple, nutty, dry red fruit and spicy characteristics in taste. It will be an excellent accompaniment to holiday treats such as hazelnuts and chocolate.
The Leal port will come in at around 18 percent alcohol, as not to be overwhelming, Payne said. Many California wineries make ports with zinfandel grapes, and can be higher in alcohol content.
Payne said the Leal port is a tribute to those of Portugal.
“I think this has some real old-world elegance to it,” Payne said.
Bottles will be in the $20 range once released to the public.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
