National Port Wine Day

National Port Wine Day, observed annually on September 10, celebrates Port, the rich fortified wine associated with Portugal’s Douro Valley. Port is made by fortifying wine with grape spirit during fermentation, helping preserve its natural sweetness and giving it its characteristic depth. Styles include fruity ruby, nutty tawny, lighter white, and rosé Port, offering plenty of variety to explore. Wine365’s guide to Port styles also highlights how the wine can be enjoyed on its own, paired with food, or used in cocktails.

The Douro Valley became the world’s first officially demarcated wine region in 1756 through an effort led by the Marquis of Pombal. That history belongs to the wine and its region, rather than necessarily marking the creation of the holiday itself. Accounts of the holiday’s origins differ slightly: two accounts credit the Douro and Port Wine Institute with creating National Port Wine Day in 2014 to raise awareness of Port, while another distinguishes it from International Port Wine Day, which it says was created in 2012 by the Center for Wine Origins and observed on January 27. The same account says the September 10 observance began in 2014, connecting it with the Douro region’s 1756 establishment. Read the historical account from Teresa Gomes.

How to Observe National Port Wine Day

Celebrate by setting out small pours of white, ruby, and tawny Port and comparing their flavors. Plain crackers or mild cheese can accompany the tasting, while other small bites can help you explore food pairings. Enjoy a glass chilled, over ice, or in a Port-based cocktail, or visit a local wine shop to discover another style. If you drink, savor responsibly.

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