Prager Port

I'm a recent convert to Ports. Never really liked them before, but once I had a really good Port with some really good chocolate, I was hooked.

My first good taste of Port was at the Prager Winery and Port Works in St. Helena several years ago. Though we pass by there quite often on the way to and from the In-Laws, we rarely have time to stop by anymore (if we have any time at all I make Mr. L stop at Dean and Deluca even if it's just for a few minutes to drool around the store). This year we decided to take a leisurely drive home from Thanksgiving dinner amid the pouring rain and stop at a few places along the way. Prager was one of those stops. 

If you blink you might miss the roadway to get to the tasting room. It's a small, one lane dirt road. The tasting room itself is pretty small and it's covered, walls and ceilings, in bills. American bills, foreign bills, ones, fives, tens. Usually with the names of those that posted the bill. The last time we were there, only a few bills were stuck up around the room, this time, the place was covered with them.

For $10 you are given a sample of five of their ports (you also get to keep the tasting glass). We tried several ports, but the one that stood out to us was the 2005 Aria White Port. The description of the Port went like this "...Port finishes with a hazelnut, caramel popcorn surprise". Did I read that right? POPCORN? Yep, amazingly you do get a taste of caramely popcorn goodness as a finish with this port. Tasting notes say this would go well with an "array of cheeses, creamy soups, oysters on the half shell or crab dishes". The wine makers named this after their first granddaughter, Aria. A bottle of the stuff will run you $48.50 at Prager. Yes, it's strange little things like this that tend to make my day.

You can find out more about Prager Ports here or do a search online. I'm not qualified to give any sort of review, all I know is that their white port with that hint of caramel popcorn was pretty dang tasty. If you've been to Prager or had any of their ports, let me know what you think. 

Prager Winery and Port Works, 1281 Lewelling Lane, St. Helena, Ca 94574

Comments

[tiffany @ the garden apartment]

I am a recent convert to port as well. I love it, love it, love it. During the winter, it is especially wonderful with warm desserts. . . anything with fruit or chocolate. Or anything sweet, really. If I am ever out in California, I will have to check out their tasting room. It looks really unique.

[JeanetteS]

I tried my very first white port yesterday. I had no idea there was such a thing as white port. I'm learning something new every day. And I will seek out this port on the East here and give it a try!