Michel Chapoutier: "English people, with their great expertise and wisdom, have chosen to serve cheese after dessert, which meant that Port was the last wine served. In France, we did not have the gallantry to change the order of the dishes according to the sequence of the wines. For me, Stilton is one of the greatest cheeses in the world. In fact, I learned to prefer blue cheeses from cow milk rather than from sheep milk when I discovered the great Stiltons. And when it comes with a Taylor's Port from a generous vintage, it is impossible to resist to this pleasure ! "

Travelling in the Douro Valley is an amazing experience. Especially when you go down the river by boat and discover these hillside vines that adorn the valley sides in an absolute peace: it is a breathtaking beauty. From this majestic land, one of the greatest wines in the world is produced: Port. This region of northern Portugal was producing wine since Roman times, but Port as we know it today was born in 1670. England was fond of Portuguese wines and the addition of brandy enhanced the taste and facilitated the storage and transport. Port is indeed a sweet wine called "fortified wine", a subtle blend of local grapes and alcohol. Technically, the fortification stops the wine fermentation with an addition of alcohol to keep the residual sugars, which gives this texture and subtle taste with finesse and power.

In the mid-eighteenth century, the strong demand for Port in England led to overproduction, falling prices and the lower quality of wines. To restore respectability, an ordinance was established in 1756 with a strict control of the origin of wine and a regional classification. Port wines were the first in the world to set up this selective system, inspiring then the greatest appellations, especially Bordeaux. This order is still in force today, almost identically, allowing only the best soils to claim the name Port. Port is produced in quintas with high quality and exceptional terroir.

Recent history has given to the Port a deserved place among the greatest wines of the world. New initiatives such as the Douro Boys, an alliance of the best producers from the Douro including Cristiano van Zeller and Dirk Niepoort, gave to red and white wines a strong and international exposure. For Port, innovations such as Noval Black from Quinta do Noval - a fresh and light wine - give new opportunities to drink Port, for example as a cocktail ingredient. New York is now fond of the latest fashionable cocktail called Noval Cup. Happy #PortDay !