Guides to Wine

Port began on the steep schist of Portugal's Douro. Today, Virginia winemakers channel that tradition with their own fortified reds and whites. Here is your playful, practical guide to who makes port-style wine in the Commonwealth, how it tastes, when to pour it, and what to serve alongside. Social sharing outro snippet: Cozy night, crackling fire, a square of dark chocolate, and a glass of Virginia port-style wine. Perfection. Save this guide for your next sweet sip.

Port was born of necessity and refined by trade. This article traces Port’s origins in early 18th-century geopolitics, unpacks how fortified wine is made, clarifies the classic styles, and spotlights Philip Carter Winery’s Port-style benchmark. ‘1762.’