# In Which I Sip a Kitten or Six of Port **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024 "2015-06-09T00:37:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/1 "2015-06-09T00:37:51Z")
Four months ago, I had [**my first adventure in fortified wine**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=749251), buying and loathing a bottle of mid-priced sherry. Tonight I’m trying port. Well, my wife and I were both trying port, but she gave up halfway through the first kitten. So now it’s left to me to kill this beast, one kitten at a time. What’s a kitten, you ask? Well, it’s apparently the appropriate (or _an_ appropriate, anyway) vessel from which to enjoy port. [**Here are mine**](https://instagram.com/p/3r6jDzCIk1/), a gift from my sister-in-law. I’m sure there’s a more technical name for them. The same as with sherry, I find the beverage aggressively sweet. There’s a ton of bright, fresh fruit flavor, and a noticeable alcohol tingle, but the sweetness is hard to get past. (Though, halfway through the bottle, I’m getting to appreciate the deeper flavors a bit more, but it’s still like a cocktail of grappa and grape jelly.) I think I may just not be one for fortified wines. (I’ll try the other great European fortified wine, Marsala, just to be sure.) I’m just going to finish this bottle tonight so as not to be wasteful. Any port fans out there? In particular, anyone who can point me to a good dry specimen under thirty bucks? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/2 "2015-06-09T01:09:27Z")
[Port pipes.](http://www.thegoodstore.com.au/d1145-98/oenophilia-port-pipes/) Much fondness for port, on occasion. Most large liquor barns have monthly or bi-monthly tastings - find one and sample your brains out. ---
**Author:** ![Feint\_of\_Spades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Feint\_of\_Spades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feint_of_Spades)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/3 "2015-06-09T01:29:38Z")
My wife and i are partial to ports. Our current favorite is from a cellar up in Traverse City Michigan called Verterra, the port is called Cherraz. We also go through a fair amount of Scheffield Tawny Port. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/4 "2015-06-09T03:40:17Z")
I quite like a glass of port but it tends to give great headache when overdone. Very sweet and only to be had as a finisher after a meal, very nice. I once had a decent session on a few different ports and cigars. Woke up next morning wondering how the gorilla got in the house. What gorilla you ask? The gorilla that broke in while I was asleep, slapped me in the head multiple times and shat in my mouth. At least that’s how I felt. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/5 "2015-06-09T03:52:32Z")
I misread ‘port’ as ‘porter’ and was wondering what the hell young cats had to do with a six-pack of dark beer. You did follow the rule and give us a picture of the kitten, so I guess I don’t have cause to complain. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/6 "2015-06-09T06:49:56Z")
Hmm! Searching for pics of these items on the internets should be easy! Google “kitten glasses” = pics of cats wearing glasses. Cute!But not correct, keep searching… Google “kitten wine glass” = kittens stuffed (comfortably) in big wine glasses. Mega Cute!But not correct, keep searching… ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/7 "2015-06-09T09:58:09Z")
Port wine is delectable reduced… simmer it in a pot with herbs until only a cup or so remains and serve with steak. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/8 "2015-06-09T11:05:20Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Any port fans out there? In particular, anyone who can point me to a good dry specimen under thirty bucks? Huge port fan (although we’re not allowed to call it that here anymore - it’s called Cape Vintage, but it’s port all the same) - the KWV Cape Tawny is quite good, and you might be able to find a good 80s vintage in that price range ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/9 "2015-06-09T13:25:40Z")
Which port are you trying? I would suggest a ruby port as your starter port. ---
**Author:** ![Feint\_of\_Spades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Feint\_of\_Spades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feint_of_Spades)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/10 "2015-06-09T14:56:15Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > I quite like a glass of port but it tends to give great headache when overdone. > > Very sweet and only to be had as a finisher after a meal, very nice. > > I once had a decent session on a few different ports and cigars. Woke up next morning wondering how the gorilla got in the house. What gorilla you ask? The gorilla that broke in while I was asleep, slapped me in the head multiple times and shat in my mouth. At least that’s how I felt. Been there, I’m a big fan of cigars too, but I nearly always end up the same way on the mornings after. > [@Lukeinva](#): > > Port wine is delectable reduced… simmer it in a pot with herbs until only a cup or so remains and serve with steak. I will vouche for this. I have made it, and it is amazingly good. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/11 "2015-06-09T19:59:46Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > Very sweet and only to be had as a finisher after a meal, very nice. I like it as an aperitif. > [@Lukeinva](#): > > Port wine is delectable reduced… simmer it in a pot with herbs until only a cup or so remains and serve with steak. Try adding a tot of port to the gravy. Nom. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/12 "2015-06-09T20:53:12Z")
Try port with a good stilton - they go together fantastically. And the stilton will offset the sweetness of the port. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/13 "2015-06-09T21:03:10Z")
I haven’t had it for awhile, but I was huge fan of Charles Krug’s Port, which I think is a Zin Port. I used to buy it by the case. Let me see what’s on their website… [Here you go.](http://www.charleskrug.com/ZinfandelPortLR.cfm) I used to be a member, so I’d get a 20% discount. The true Portuguese Ports are awesome, but I didn’t pay too much attention when I was drinking them, and don’t recall the brands. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/14 "2015-06-09T22:26:35Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Four months ago, I had [**my first adventure in fortified wine**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=749251), buying and loathing a bottle of mid-priced sherry. > > Tonight I’m trying port. Well, my wife and I were both trying port, but she gave up halfway through the first kitten. So now it’s left to me to kill this beast, one kitten at a time. > > What’s a kitten, you ask? Well, it’s apparently the appropriate (or _an_ appropriate, anyway) vessel from which to enjoy port. [**Here are mine**](https://instagram.com/p/3r6jDzCIk1/), a gift from my sister-in-law. I’m sure there’s a more technical name for them. > > The same as with sherry, I find the beverage aggressively sweet. There’s a ton of bright, fresh fruit flavor, and a noticeable alcohol tingle, but the sweetness is hard to get past. (Though, halfway through the bottle, I’m getting to appreciate the deeper flavors a bit more, but it’s still like a cocktail of grappa and grape jelly.) > > I think I may just not be one for fortified wines. (I’ll try the other great European fortified wine, Marsala, just to be sure.) I’m just going to finish this bottle tonight so as not to be wasteful. > > Any port fans out there? In particular, anyone who can point me to a good dry specimen under thirty bucks? > [@silenus](#): > > [Port pipes.](http://www.thegoodstore.com.au/d1145-98/oenophilia-port-pipes/) > > Much fondness for port, on occasion. Most large liquor barns have monthly or bi-monthly tastings - find one and sample your brains out. OK, you two, you aren’t getting off that easy. You have to tell those of us who may not have seen those _interesting_ glasses how do you drink from them. Please don’t say you blow air in the stem like a bubble pipe, that would really kill the mystique. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/15 "2015-06-09T22:32:03Z")
What’s there to tell? You hold the glass in your hand like a pipe, cupping the bowl and warming the spirits within. You sip through the stem, drawing the warm, un-oxidized spirit from the bottom of the glass. Uber-pretentious and really cool at the same time! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/16 "2015-06-09T22:43:21Z")
Well, that sure beats the hell outta drinkin it right from the bottle! Thanks for the info; cool is right! ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/17 "2015-06-10T00:35:28Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Hmm! Searching for pics of these items on the internets should be easy! > > Google “kitten glasses” = pics of cats wearing glasses. Cute!But not correct, keep searching… > > Google “kitten wine glass” = kittens stuffed (comfortably) in big wine glasses. Mega Cute!But not correct, keep searching… I searched for “kitten port” (without quotes) and found ads for kittens in cities that had the word Port in their names. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/18 "2015-06-10T02:45:46Z")
I have tasted the port from the following place and I liked it. I understand it is very popular. [https://villatoscano.com/products-page/](https://villatoscano.com/products-page/) It may be a bit pricier than you’d asked for though. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/19 "2015-06-10T16:31:17Z")
I keep [Warre’s Ruby Port](http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx/Wine/Port/Porto/Warre-s/Warre-s-Ruby-Porto/886) in the house mainly for cooking, but it’s also very good paired with dark chocolate. I have a dark chocolate cookie recipe which uses it right in the mix. As other folks have said, you can make some fantastic sauces with it that go well with beef or pork entrees, and I’ve also made a sauce that’s a treat over poached pears. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-sip-a-kitten-or-six-of-port/722024/20 "2015-06-10T17:15:19Z")
Three things to note here: 1. I always wondered why my mother had a decorative hash pipe out on display when I was a kid/teenager. Now I know, as my mom is more the port and sherry type vice hash or crack, AFAIK. Parents do have their mysteries. 2. Experience has taught me alcohol through a straw almost always ends badly, and that includes Camelbaks full of rum and coke; especially Camelbaks full of rum and coke. 3. [Pipe](http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/713750) from Black Sage is one of my favourites, or Taylor Fladgate 20 yo. Ignorance Fought!