Port wine is at it's best when served with sharp, tangy cheese.
Port wine is fortified with brandy, giving it a sweet nutty flavor and higher alcohol content than most wines. While true port wine was developed in Douro Valley, Portugal and is also label Oporto, the distinctively flavored cheeses most enjoyed with it are produced from many countries. Its flavor is nicely complemented by cheeses with a sharp, tangy or smoky flavor. Port wine and cheese is also enjoyed when prepared in many recipes.
Gourmet Gift Basket
A gift basket is exciting to receive and highly enjoyable to explore. A ruby port wine, which is fortified with distilled spirits, and rich with luscious berry flavors must be paired with a cheese that complements it perfectly. The sharp distinctive flavor of English Stilton or Agour Ossau-Iraty sheep cheese made in the Pyrenees or the sharp, tangy flavor Spanish Cabrales all contrast well with full-bodied port wine. The addition of sweet, dessert pears or apples along with a favorite cracker and several wine glasses make for a truly gourmet gift basket. Welcoming a new executive into the company or celebrating a special occasion with old friends is made more meaningful by the giving of this special gift.
Prepared Food Gift
A gift that is delicious and comes in handy if the recipient is having a party is a port wine cheese ball. The cheese ball is made with rich, full bodied port wine, sharp and tangy blue cheese and after other ingredients are added, it is rolled in pecans for maximum effect and flavor. Include a wooden cutting board and cheese knife with server and the gift relieves the party giver of time and effort in preparing appetizers.
Port Wine Gift Box
Port wine, when contrasted with cheeses that complement its sweet nutlike flavor, is prepared in recipes ranging from flamb to main courses and chocolate cake. A gift box that includes a bottle of port, four USDA prime filet mignons, and a recipe for blue cheese crusted filet mignon with port wine sauce will be very appreciated and might even earn you a dinner invitation. Include a number of other recipes prepared with port wine and the various it so the recipient can experiment at their leisure.
Tags: sharp tangy, blue cheese, cheese ball, cheeses that, cheeses that complement