Ports are diverse and delicious. And as the cold weather hits they keep the chill away. Stop by on Sunday to sip some of these tasty delights from two old Port houses Kopke and Rocha. Local Port expert Sarah Timbrook-Nugent will be with us to talk about different styles of Port and the history of these venerable producers.

Porto Kopke Lágrima White Port — $18 for a 750ml bottle

Oak-aged for 5 years, the wine is produced from a variety of white grapes, including Malvasia Fina. So loved by the Portuguese as to be called “The Tears of Christ”, the wine has a wonderful, medium-sweet style with citrus and lemon verbena fruit that is balanced by good acidity. Serve slightly chilled as an aperitif with hot-spicy starters, with fruit salads, desserts or just let your imagination run wild

Porto Kopke 10 Year Old Tawny $15 – 375ml bottle , $30 – 750ml

Tawny ports are made from red grapes, but the ageing in barrel exposes them to oxidation. As a result, they gradually mellow to a golden-brown color and develop “nutty” flavors. Kopke’s 10 YO Tawney is so well developed that it has the quality of most 20 Year Olds. Kopke overshoots the required age of the wines in this blend by at least five years. So this would qualify as a 15 Year old if that labeling existed. Honey colored, with deep ambrosial flavors and mouth-filling richness. “Fine nose of toasted almonds with butterscotch & honey. Smooth, unctuous and very tasty…I liked this Kopke for the textural pleasure and pure nutty flavor that led to the persistent aftertaste.” 91 pts. Roy Hersh, For the Love of Port

2007 Porto Rocha Late Bottled Vintage Port $14 – 375ml bottle, $24 -750ml

This LBV is aged 4 to 6 years in cask before release to soften up and develop the wine. This “preview” of the Vintage Port, provides a smooth drinking, full-bodied, filtered port with exciting ripe fruit flavors of plum, black cherry and a touch of pepper.