Port Wine is not just for winter.

Just because we are heading into summertime that doesn't mean you should forget about your port wines. Recently I was tasting wines with a friend and we opened a Tawny Port that had been in the 45 degree compartment of my wine fridge and it was absolutely delicious and suited the warm evening beautifully.  Sipping on a chilled tawny port while relaxing on a summer night is very enjoyable. Serving your tawny chilled actually lightens it up on the palate and makes it much more refreshing.

The other great use for ports in the summer are "port cocktails".  Here are three easy delicious recipes:

1. White Port Cocktail - is made by using 1 part white port and 1 part tonic water. You serve it on ice and garnish with lemon.  It's a very nice drink to be enjoyed on the patio this time of year.
2. Pink Diamond - is made using 1 part pink port and 1 part soda water. This is also served on ice and with a squeeze of lemon.  Pink port is not very common but we do carry it here at Harry's.  It is made the same way rose wines are, when they press the grapes that allow the juice to be in contact with the grape skins for shortened period in order to give it a lighter color and to keep the flavor less earthy and fruitier.
3. Ruby Sparkler - is made with 1 part ruby port and 2 to 3 parts any Brut styled sparkling wine (prosecco and cava are great choices). 

So there you have it, some great refreshing alternatives for enjoying port during the summertime!

-Greg