The greatness of Port

I've decided to go against the status quo today, I realize that this here blog centres predominantly on food, but I feel as an avid wine drinker that it is my duty to put forth my feelings and thoughts on the great fermented grape. Anyone who knows me should know that I've had pretty much all there is to drink when it comes to wine; from red, to white, to sparkling, to ice, to sherry and my new current obsession port. Having a fondness for sweeter style wines, I've always come to love port and its rich velvety texture, but like most I never came to exploring it much further than the odd glass here and there. However, as of late I've come to or should I say I've become quite addicted to it. The reason for this came about a month or so ago when I began my new job here in Vancouver. Having been hired as an assistant supervisor, I've come to explore my new surroundings and the various different alcohols available to me that I'd yet to try with a little more purpose . With this freedom, I've found port to being the most noticeably received. From classic Taylor Fladgate, to Grant Burge to my new favorite Warres Otima Port 10 year vintage, I've come to quite love this often overlooked fermented gem. Warres actually if my memory serves me correctly might go down as one of the most tasty drinks I've ever had. The texture and sweet flavour are so smooth and full that each sip just makes me feel happy, very happy indeed. I realize that reference might sound rather corny but in all truth that is exactly how I feel. I've had numerous dreams lately sitting someplace on a hot day after I've spent my time doing whatever it is I do drinking a nice glass of port. The subtle blackberry and raspberry flavours I pick up with each sip convey to me so much goodness and quality that I find myself almost becoming addicted to it. If you've never tasted this Warres Otima Port I strongly urge you to the next time you get a chance, whether it be with dessert or just as you sit down with your buddies, to me there is no wrong place to have a glass of Portugal's sweet wine treasure.

Port just in case you don't know is made in the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal as a fortified wine. Fortified being that it has been fermented with the addition of brandy to stop fermentation so as to retain residual sugars. This fortification enables the wine to having a sweeter velvety structure and a higher alcohol content. Once fortified port can be aged in bottle or in oak barrels for several years before its sale. There are various styles of port out there but the general notion is there's vintage port which is port of the highest quality from a specific year that is aged shortly in oak barrels then in its bottle for many years and wood ports which are aged for several years and are generally ready for sale once they hit the market. The otima port that I mentioned above is Warres attempt to cater to a younger and less educated wine drinker with a newer and more sophisticated bottling style and flavour. This style of tawny (port that is aged in wood that takes on a light brown colour) is either of a 10 year or 20 year vintage.

Now I'm not going to bore you any further with a teaching lesson on all the finer points of port wine, you have google for that. But what I do want is for you to consider port a new addition to your drinking selections. When I drink port I also find myself thinking of Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" as he's losing his mind while talking to the serosisly looking bartender Lloyd. The way Jack swivels his glass and downs each sip of bourbon totally captures for me the essence of how I feel when I down a mouthful of Warres Otima. I mean we've all been there, had those days when you just needed that drink and found yourself turning to the old stand bye only to feel disappointed once you've tasted what you've tasted a million times before. Take it from me I've been there and it sucks. So whether you're with me or not, I just wanted to post to you all the joy I've discovered in port recently and how its varied splendor has brought new life to my drinking pleasures. I say if you're looking for something new to try why not give it a whirl, you never know you might just like it. Anywho that's all I'm prepared to say about that.

later.

Black Mamba in full form tonight and much much more...

Up 3 -1 now in their series with the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Lakers have now put themselves comfortably in the driver seat as they look to close out this series on Monday night in LA. Kobe dominated like no other tonight. Sitting here in my living room watching his brilliance as he overcame his lackluster performance from game 3 truly showed me why he's been so dominant for so long. His killer instinct and ability to focus in on the game is second to none that I can see, from his demeanor during shoot around, to the the player introductions you could sense his mindset totally and completely honed in on tonight's game. As an athlete myself I truly respect that most about him, his game and its artistry are amazing altogether, but for me its his mental approach and killer instinct that shows me why he's the best. Having watched close to all of his games for the past 10 seasons, I've come to know his game well. I've witnessed it's growth and maturity and how he's truly mastered the mental aspect of the game. This to me is where he ranks with Michael the most. Kobe now being 30 reminds me so much of Jordan in his last few years with Chicago to the point that its spooky. His reluctance to give an inch, his stare downs, to his walk all scream confidence, something that I must admit I've struggled mightily with over the years. As the game goes on you can feel his presence ever more as he wills his team to victory. From game winning shots, to plays of the extraordinary I find myself watching brilliance and true mastery. LeBron no doubt is amazing in his own right, but Kobe has this fluidity to his game that screams beauty, even to the point that it looks so easy to him.

All I can say tonight, is you can love or hate the man, but the game is beautiful, simple and true and something I'll never tire of watching.

later.

A few thoughts on my mind today...

Was at blockbuster last night with my girl about to rent a flick when "Gonzo, the Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson" caught my eye as we entered. I was immediately pulled towards the documentary as its protagonist has had an impact of sorts in my life (obviously indirectly). Interestingly more so is how as I'm currently watching said DVD I've found myself quickly brought to thinking of how fucked up and amazing a time the 1960's were. Lately I've become transfixed upon the the Kennedy's of John and Bobby, their lives and how they affected the world and our culture. As well, I've been reading into the life of Aristotle Onassis the greek billionaire shipping mogul who would go on to marry Jackie soon after Bobby's death. The era, the impressions, the people and the chaos of that time has somehow gotten to me lately. As I read more and learn more of what truly came about then I've come to believe that the 1960's have to be considered the best and most influential decade of the 20th century by far. I'll have more on this later, I've got some reading to do.

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Oh how the kings can fall. Today we learned that Kevin Garnett's status was far more bleak than had been previously reported. His not playing in the playoffs changes the landscape far more than most can believe. Boston will compete and do well without him, but beating Cleveland is something far more difficult with him versus without him. Pencil in Lakers vs Cavs now, because with Beantown down a leg, there just is no one team who can dethrone these two juggernauts from their innevitable collision course of epic proportions.

more later