When snow is falling and the wind is howling, it’s the perfect time to settle in front of a cozy fire with a glass of vintage port. Those who regularly enjoy this specialty product of Portugal’s Douro region will be pleased to learn that port experts have declared the 2003 vintage to be classic and outstanding. For those who have never tried this delicious wine, a bottle of a 2003 would be a perfect starting point.

According to industry writer Peter Cobb, the vintage ports of 2003 are rich, deep and purple in color with attractive floral aromas. He said that many show a heavy concentration of blackberry fruit, but with firm tannins making them "muscular wines with a good backbone." This will allow them to age well, he added.

At a recent tasting conducted by members of the Port Exporters’ Association, 26 vintage port samples were tried. The panel then narrowed the field down to 13, and agreed on the following tasting notes:

Dow — good, deep nose. Clean, black fruit flavor, soft tannins, long finish.

Niepoort — lovely clean, fruity nose. Powerful with good structure and tannin. Concentrated.

Taylor-Fladgate — clean nose, big in the mouth, tannins are still hard and unyielding, but the fruit is there.

Quinta Dos Canais — rich fig aromas, blackberry fruit in abundance, concentrated, well-balanced.

Martinez — fruity nose, voluptuous berry fruit in the mouth with soft tannins, well-balanced with a long finish and good grip.

Smith Woodhouse — typical young vintage port nose, luscious blackberries, silky tannins, lovely long finish.

Graham — fruity nose with ripe sweet blackberry fruit. Beautifully balanced with firm tannins.

Warre — slightly "green" nose and still tight in the mouth suggesting good tannins and potential longevity. Well-balanced and structured.

Croft — aromatic, ripe berry fruit, resinous, medium sweet. Very soft tannins.

Churchill — classic nose, fine and clean. Medium sweet, lean, less exuberant than some, but it’s complex, tannic and long-lasting.

Gould Campbell — big, fruity and fat. Good all-round quality with berry fruit and excellent balance.

Delaforce — violets predominant in a floral nose. Masses of blackberry fruit and firm tannins. Has great length, complexity and grip. Good structure.

Ramos Pinto — plummy with very ripe berry fruit. Big in the mouth, tannic and spirited.

Raise Your Glass is sponsored by Chris Gasbarro’s Fine Wine and Spirits. For more information on wines and upcoming wine events, visit the official website.

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Those who regularly enjoy this specialty product of Portugal’s Douro region will be pleased to learn that port experts have declared the 2003 vintage to be classic and outstanding. For those who have never tried this delicious wine, a bottle of a 2003 would be a perfect starting point. According to industry writer Peter Cobb, the vintage ports of 2003 are rich, deep and purple in color with attractive floral aromas. He said that many show a heavy concentration of blackberry fruit, but with firm tannins making them "muscular wines with a good backbone." This will allow them to age well, he added. At a recent tasting conducted by members of the Port Exporters’ Association, 26 vintage port samples were tried. The panel then narrowed the field down to 13, and agreed on the following tasting notes: Dow — good, deep nose. Clean, black fruit flavor, soft tannins, long finish. Niepoort — lovely clean, fruity nose. Powerful with good structure and tannin. Concentrated. Taylor-Fladgate — clean nose, big in the mouth, tannins are still hard and unyielding, but the fruit is there. Quinta Dos Canais — rich fig aromas, blackberry fruit in abundance, concentrated, well-balanced. Martinez — fruity nose, voluptuous berry fruit in the mouth with soft tannins, well-balanced with a long finish and good grip. Smith Woodhouse — typical young vintage port nose, luscious blackberries, silky tannins, lovely long finish. Graham — fruity nose with ripe sweet blackberry fruit. Beautifully balanced with firm tannins. Warre — slightly "green" nose and still tight in the mouth suggesting good tannins and potential longevity. Well-balanced and structured. Croft — aromatic, ripe berry fruit, resinous, medium sweet. Very soft tannins. Churchill — classic nose, fine and clean. Medium sweet, lean, less exuberant than some, but it’s complex, tannic and long-lasting. Gould Campbell — big, fruity and fat. Good all-round quality with berry fruit and excellent balance. Delaforce — violets predominant in a floral nose. Masses of blackberry fruit and firm tannins. Has great length, complexity and grip. Good structure. Ramos Pinto — plummy with very ripe berry fruit. Big in the mouth, tannic and spirited. Raise Your Glass is sponsored by Chris Gasbarro’s Fine Wine and Spirits. For more information on wines and upcoming wine events, visit the official website. Send a comment		" Advanced Voice Communications, Inc. The Travel Connection Cool Air Creations Cardi's Furniture Super Stores Mardi Gras Norwood Motor Group Providence Performing Arts Center RI Living Rhode Island Lottery Station Family Fund Strategic Point Trinity Repertory Theatre Toray Plastics Warwick Mall