White Port, NV. Ramos Pinto

Ramos Pinto was founded in 1880 by brothers Adriano and Antonio Ramos Pinto in Portugal's famous Douro region. In almost any language, Port is considered a red dessert wine of great distinction. Most people don't even know that such a thing as white Port exists, but a recent tasting of them literally sent us spinning with delight.

The producers and winemakers are most fond of their whites. That is probably because the wine gets little respect until it is tasted. That point certainly resonates with winemaker Ana Rosas, one of the first female winemakers in the Douro. Of course, it didn't hurt that she is the great, great niece of Adriano Ramos Pinto. So, you could say it's in her blood. Making great Port, red or white, is more about blending than it is about fermenting. Most ports are non-vintage, which means they could have 2-3 or more vintages in the final blend. Ramos Pinto owns four separate vineyards covering almost 900 acres. The possibilities are almost endless, which is why it takes a seasoned blender to come up with the right combination. It has to taste the same every year, no matter what Mother Nature hands you, so having the most stocks to choose from is of paramount importance.

The four grape varieties are Codega, Viosinho, Rabigato and Artino. We've never heard of any of them, but the proof is in the honey and citrus flavors with roasted almonds and a crackling finish. It is excellent with tapas or a nut melange.

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