Although all Port, produced in the Douro River Valley of Portugal, is made the same way (partially fermentedwine is fortified with a neutral spirit, which stops fermentation and raises the alcohol level), there are two distinct types: ruby and tawny.
Perhaps he, like many of us, shared the sentimental view espoused on the back label of a million bottles that wine is a simple agricultural product, the fermented juice of grapes that is maybe aged for a time and then bottled.
In an area 129 square miles in size, white wine grapes are grown, the product of which will be fermented a second time inside the bottle to create the fizz that is the hallmark of champagne.