Sipping Your Way Through December — Day 22

Here’s today’s selection for The Wine Chef Advent Calendar.

Sandeman 2000 Vintage Port

Port wine is one of the world’s great sweet wines, produced exclusively in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It’s a fortified wine produced by stopping fermentation early by adding brandy. This process preserves the wine's natural sweetness while increasing alcohol and structure, allowing it to age and evolve for decades.

There are several types of Port, most of which fall under the broader categories of Ruby (with more berry and chocolate flavors) or Tawny (with more caramel and nut flavors). Vintage Port is the finest of the Rubys and spends no more than two years in barrels before being bottled and sold. It can be consumed young, but is typically intended for cellaring by the buyer.

This holiday season, Sandeman Porto, one of the most storied names in Port, is re-releasing a treasure from its cellars: Sandeman 2000 Vintage Port. Vintage Port is declared only in the best years, and 2000 is a benchmark year.

In the glass, it shows a vivid brick hue with ruby glints. Its heady aromatics consist of spices, lavender, cedar, tobacco, violets, and ripe red fruits. On the palate, the wine is very lively with smooth tannins and notes of blackberry jam, tar, dried fruits, and cocoa. The finish is long and lingering.

A classic food pairing for Vintage Port is Stilton or other richly flavored cheeses, as well as dark chocolate, figs, and walnuts.

With only a limited number of bottles available (priced at about $116), this Vintage Port is a collector’s item and a thoughtful holiday gift for Port lovers.

Find the wine on wine-searcher.com.