Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1974

Every wine tells a story. Kopke's Colheitas, however, tell a unique story. To taste a wine is to taste history and, in the case of this 1974 Colheita, it means remembering a remarkable event like the Portuguese Revolution of 25 April 1974.

How It's Made | The grapes are carefully picked by hand when they're at their peak. After removing the stems, the grapes are crushed and turned into wine through a process called maceration. This pulls out all the good stuff - color, tannins, and those amazing aromas. During fermentation, they keep stirring the mix in temperature-controlled vats (around 28-30°C). They're looking for just the right sweetness level, measured in baumé. Once they hit the sweet spot, they add some grape brandy to create the final fortified wine. 

This high-quality wine comes from a single harvest. It then ages in oak barrels for at least 7 years (sometimes even longer) before it's bottled and sold. That's some serious patience!

What to Expect | When you pour a glass, you'll notice a deep amber color with hints of orange. Take a sniff, and you'll pick up a complex, elegant aroma. There are notes of walnut and hazelnut against a smooth background.

Take a sip, and you'll find it's full-bodied and well-structured, but still elegant and balanced. The flavors are concentrated, giving the wine real depth and a long-lasting finish.

How to Enjoy It | To really appreciate this wine, serve it chilled. It's fantastic with desserts that feature caramel, dried fruits, or spices. Some perfect pairings include:

- Caramel fondant with apple and ginger jelly
- Tarte tatin
- Crème brûlée
- Medium-strength cheeses

For the best experience, serve it between 12-14°C (that's 54-57°F). Trust us, it's worth the extra effort to get the temperature just right!