Messias Vintage porto 2011

Here's a lovely Port from Portugal — Messias's blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) from the 2011 vintage. A quick word on the grape: Touriga Nacional is Portugal's most prized red grape, giving deeply colored, structured wines with violet aromatics, blackberry and firm, age-worthy tannins; it is a cornerstone of Port and Douro reds. It's joined by Touriga Franca — a key Portuguese red grape, valued for its perfumed florality and ripe red fruit, balancing the power of Touriga Nacional in blends and Port. Port, in case you're wondering, is a fortified sweet wine from Portugal's Douro Valley — a splash of grape spirit stops the fermentation early, keeping it rich, sweet and warming. Portugal is a goldmine of native grapes, from the zippy whites of the green northwest to the muscular reds and legendary Ports of the Douro Valley. It's gorgeous with dark chocolate, blue cheese or a handful of nuts — or simply on its own to round off a meal. Serve it lightly chilled, in small glasses.