It’s not every day that you get to sample a selection of fortified wines by multiple legendary producers from Porto and pair them with classic New York staples, let alone from the comfort of an incredible Soho apartment that used to belong to Madonna. The team behind Taylor Fladgate, Croft & Fonseca came together to create a cozy atmosphere that was simultaneously glamorous, comfortable, welcoming, and just plain cool.
Through six rooms, with six different styles of Port, and featuring six different nibbles, the experience enlightened the senses on how versatile Port can be with everyday foods, moods and settings.
Netflix and Chilled Port
The world’s first rosé port from Croft is called Croft Pink, and it gives the drinker an approachable way to ease into port-drinking waters. Pairing it with a New York staple like Roberta’s pizza takes it to the next level, both in flavor profile and brand recognition.
Game Day Ready
The Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage (2014) is an easy drinking, low risk wine that also makes a delectable accompaniment to a brat from Schaller and Weber, an iconic New York brand that’s been peddling phenomenal sausages on the Upper East Side for three generations. Notes of raspberry and apricot complement the salt and spice of a brat with mustard in a surprising, yet interesting way.
Trick or Treat
Tawny is my favorite kind of port, and this Croft Reserve Tawny was no exception. Pairing port with candy may seem like a no brainer, since port is technically a dessert wine, but the simplicity of this light weight, deliciously spiced tawny with a Halloween classic like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups was as creative as it was satisfying.
Piece of Portugal
This room was a classic in every way; Fonseca Bin 27 is a classic ruby port, and Pastel de Nata is the quintessential Portuguese dessert. The port is aged in oak barrels for 4 years, and boasts strong notes of blackberry and cassis. Win Son’s interpretation of pastel de nata was a bit fluffier than a classic, but I could not. stop. eating them.
Aperitifs in the Kitchen
Taylor Fladgate 10 year Old Tawny and Fonseca 10 year old Tawny are both made from wines aged an average of 10 years. The Taylor is fuller bodied, a bit sweeter, and a deeper amber color, but the Fonseca has a strong hint of butterscotch and almonds.
Both of these ports get along swimmingly with dried fruits, nuts, cheeses – basically any variety of your favorite snack foods at the beginning of a meal, or anything sweet at the end of a meal. If you needed to pick a port versatile enough to satisfy the palate of a group of people, or that you wanted to offer throughout a meal, a Tawny 10 year is the move.
Breakfast in Bed
Last but certainly not least was the Chilled Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry White Port. This is a wine I could drink all day long, and is sufficient on its own, but is incredible in a classic Portugeuese cocktail, a Porto Tonic. A crispy, chilly glass of white port is an excellent accompaniment to a salty, savory breakfast food like a bagel from Black Seed, and may soon replace mimosas as your brunch drink of choice.
