Fonseca Aged Tawny Port Pairing
A more versatile and appealing style of port wine there is not. Lighter in character than vintage port, aged tawny ports lend themselves to a variety of occasions and have the added benefit of being delightful when served slightly chilled, which makes them particularly enjoyable in the warmer summer months.
The fragrant, ripe fruit bouquet and tangy fruit of the Fonseca 10 year old port served lightly chilled makes an excellent dessert wine and pairs superbly with a light chocolate mousse with red berries, or a rich and nutty cheese such as a smoked applewood cheddar.
The Fonseca 20 year old has added complexity and has developed much more of those mellow and spicy notes, leaving behind the fruitiness of its youth. Armed with these flavour profiles consider a homemade terrine or paté, an aged Pecorino, a Comté or a good farmhouse cheddar. For the sweeter tooth, pecan pie, almond and caramel ice-cream, or for the slightly more left of field - wild strawberries. Not very easy to obtain, but if you happen across a small punnet, be sure to buy them - it is a truly memorable experience and well worth the hunt.
Fonseca does not make a 30 Year old tawny port, instead moves straight from the 20 year old port into the rare and exceptionally decadent 40 year old tawny. Mellow spicy flavours and a persistent impression of fine seasoned oak, coupled with warm roasted coffee aromas mean that this wine deserves nothing more than the well- proportioned glass it is going to be served in, your favourite chair and perhaps a morcel or two of cheese. If however, you cannot resist serving this incredible tawny port with a dessert, then try it with some freshly grilled mango and a dollop of coconut custard.