<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,tastings,00.html" title="WSJ.com - Tastings">A Great Choice at the Last Minute</a>: “There is ‘Port’ and there is Port. ‘Port’ is the name winemakers all over the world, from California to Australia, have given to sweet, alcoholic, fortified wines. Some of these, which are made from just about any kind of grape, are simply nasty, while others are pretty darn tasty and good after dinner. But real Port is something altogether special. It’s made in the Douro Valley [of Portugal] from several kinds of grapes, generally unfamiliar ones such as Touriga Nacional. It’s made like regular wine, but then some brandy is added, which stops the fermentation and leaves the wine with residual sugar (maybe 10% or so) and plenty of alcohol (maybe 20% or so). Here’s the key: All fine wine should have a sense of place, and real Port does. Underneath the tastes of plums, chocolate and spices is a hint of rich earth that makes Port particularly soul-satisfying.”
No fixed plans. Not intent upon arriving.