Drinks
The Hater's Guide to Loving Port Wine
Portugal's popularity is booming as a tourist destination. Next up for world domination? Its signature drink.
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How hot is Portugal? In January temperatures average 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but figuratively, it’s on fire. As Pursuits and other discerning publications keep trying to tell people, it’s an excellent place to go. Travel to the country was up 22 percent last year from the U.S. alone.
Accordingly, this is the best time to get familiar with the country’s illustrious national beverage, the fortified wine called port. You may think of it as merely the boring, last-ditch grasp for alcohol at the end of a fancy meal (offered by a pushy, up-selling waiter). You may have even tried it and thought, It's so sickly sweet, no wonder they only serve a thimble-sized portion. But it's officially time to give port another chance.