Noval Black Porto

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Bitterly cold winter nights are a perfect time to gather around a fireplace and sip port.

Port is a naturally sweet wine fortified with brandy, which stops the fermentation process and increases the alcohol content. (This one is 19.5 percent.)

This non-vintage port — which is actually classified as a younger ruby port despite being called black — comes from the traditional home of port in the Douro Valley in Portugal. It’s a blend of three grapes and is cask-aged for two years before bottling.

Big and spicy with dark fruit flavors, the alcoholic heat is tempered by letting it sit a few days (with the cork on) after opening. This pairs well with mild cheese.

Sherry: “Warming black cherry with brown sugar and clove.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Plum, blackberry and prunes wrapped in licorice.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $19.

Coming next week: Root 1 Sauvignon Blanc