Port

It may have a reputation for being wheeled out every Christmas with the Stilton, but the variety of different Ports on the market today means that this is a wine that merits year-round consideration. Along with its white counterpart Sherry, Port is the most famous – and historic – fortified wine in the world. It has a particular connection to the UK, having been invented almost by chance when British merchants, looking for an alternative to French wine during a trade dispute, turned to Portugal’s reds, and fortified them with brandy so they would better survive the long journey. Today the wines, from the country’s Douro Valley, are still made with this fortification, if with slightly more forethought and skill, the category spanning vintage to tawny, colheita to single-quinta. All have varying degrees of sweetness, and also vary hugely in their character, from rich and raisiny to light and racy, providing options for enjoying as an aperitif, with dessert, as a dessert, or – yes – with cheese.