Not Just for Dessert: Why a Port-Style Wine is Food’s Best Friend
When you say fortified wine the first things that come to mind are winter and dessert. But, according to De Krans Wine Cellar there’s no need to keep your sweet wines squirreled away for the cooler months and then relegate them to the dessert menu. Yes indeed, you can enjoy that fine, aged bottle of port throughout the year with a different assortment of foods. Here’s why a port-style wine is food’s best friend all year round.
If there’s anyone you should take advice from when it comes to fortified wine, it’s De Krans. The winery is known for its high quality port-style wines, and has made a name for itself as being one of the leading producers in this category. Their flagship, the Cape Vintage Reserve range boasts eleven vintages and a bucket load of awards such as the title of Best Fortified Wine in South Africa. Here’s how to pair your port:
The De Krans Premium Cape Ruby is a non-vintage port that is known for its gorgeous deep ruby colour and fruity, spicy aromas. In winter it pairs beautifully with traditional Cape Malay dishes like waterblommetjie-bredie, bobotie and hearty pastas and soups.
More intense and full bodied, the De Krans Cape Vintage is drier and darker in colour. It’s made of single vintage grapes and is oak matured for at least a year before bottling. This delicious wine can be paired with Karoo lamb potjie, venison pie, or a cheeseboard selection all year round.
For heart meals like brown onion soup, pork loin, Malaysian-style prawns, or something that’s sweet and fruity you can’t go wrong with the De Krans Cape Tawny Limited Release on the side. If you’re feeling luxurious, try pouring the entire bottle of this port over your home cooked leg of lamb or into your potjie. The taste difference is incredible and you won’t regret it! Of course, this wine is also the perfect dessert companion so it will also work well when paired with crème brûlée or malva pudding.
But port isn’t just for the dinner table, De Krans also encourages wine lovers to serve their port chilled over crushed ice, or as a cocktail mixer. If you’re keen to experiment, whip up an Espresso Martini using the De Krans Espresso with three parts espresso dessert wine to one-part cold espresso and one-part vodka – a game changer!
Pick up a bottle of the De Krans Premium Cape Ruby for around R75 and De Krans Cape Vintage for R95 a bottle. For more information visit the De Krans website.
Want more food and wine news? Check out our Food section for restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie features, and news to make you salivate.