Cockburn's Quinta Dos Canais 2003

Vintage port from the Canais vineyards on the north bank of the Douro River in Portugal. Dark purple color. Fruity aromas of ripe cherries and currants. WINE SPECTATOR gives it 92 points and says it has 'Lots of grape on the nose, with hints of dark chocolate and mahogany. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with chewy tannins and a long, raisiny finish.' Can be drunk now but will age to full maturity over the next five years. Only 2,000 cases made!

Cockburn's Special Reserve Port

Imported fortified wine from Portugal. Special Reserve is a blend of ports with an average age of 4-5 years. Older wines are blended with younger wines to achieve the complex flavor that echoes of dried plums. Off-dry to medium sweet, with a rich mellow texture. Long, dry finish. Pair with aged Stilton cheese, almonds, strawberries or squares of chocolate.

Cockburn's 10yr Tawny Port

Tawny style port from Portugal aged for 10 years. Copper and brass hues. Nutty, metallic nose. Flavors of ripe grapes and raisins with some acidity. Long, fruity finish. 'Kindred Spirits' gives it a *** (recommended rating).

Graham's 10 yr Tawny Port

Tawny port aged in oak casks for 10 years. A soft, round wine balanced by a rich, subtle, mature fruit. ' Pale ruby with a copper hue; caramel and date aromas; The generous entry shows sweet fruit with a good follow-through and well-integrated; a harmonious 10 Year-Old.' 91 PTS BEVERAGE TASTING INSTITUTE and 92 PTS WINE SPECTATOR

Feist L.B.V. Port

Late Bottle Vintage port imported from the Duoro region of Portugal. The Feist company was founded in 1832 and is still family owned and operated today. zMade from a single vintage aged in cask for 5 years. Ready to drink - needs no further aging in the bottle as most vintage ports do. Deep red color. Mature, sweet, fruity aromas. Spicey, sweet, fruity flavors. Moderately full-bodied. Firm finish with a hint of tannins. 'Tastings Magazine' gives it 86 points and highly recommends it.

Feist Ruby Port

Ruby port imported from the Douro region of Portugal. The Feist company was founded in 1832 and is still family owned and operated today. Crimson red color. Floral and black fruit aromas. Medium bodied. Bright fruity flavors with a soft finish. 'Wine Enthusiast' rates it an 84 and considers it a Best Buy. Can be served during a meal with roasted or highly flavored red meats, with cheeses (including Gorgonzola), nuts or desserts.

Feist 20 Yr. Tawny

Aged tawny port imported from the Duoro region of Portugal. The Feist company was founded in 1832 and is still family owned and operated today. Pale amber color with reddish gold highlights. Aromas of Amontillado sherry. Rich, fruity, toffee-like flavors. Lingering notes of almonds and dried nuts on the finish. 'Wine Enthusiast' gives it 87 points and highly recommends it.

Fonseca Bin No. 27 Port

Portuguese port blended from high quality reserve wines, from a range of vintages. Shows some of the characteristics of true vintage port. Rich, full-bodied flavors of black currants, plums, and cherries with an intense, lingering finish. Spends four years in wood vats prior to bottling and is ready to drink when bottled.

Graham's Six Grapes Port

Wood-aged port from Portugal. Aged for up to four or five years and ready to drink after bottling. Full-bodied and blended from 2 or 3 years harvest. Soft, rich and fruity. Aromas of cream, berries and vanilla. Flavors of blackberry, pear and coffee. Sweet blackberry finish. Gold medal winner at the 1997 International Wine Challenge.

Penfolds Club Tawny Port

Tawny port imported from southern Australia. Matured in small oak barrels at the Penfolds Kalimna Tawny Cellar, located in the Barossa Valley. Amber-brown color with dark red rim. Aromas of dried fruit, vanilla and caramel. Flavors of ripe spicy fruit, toffee and walnuts. Drinkable now -2007. Serve with cheeses or dessert.

Sandeman Late Bottle Vintage Port

Imported from Oporto, Portugal. Grapes for a LBV come from a single vintage shown on the label. Aged from four to six years in oak casks. It is filtered before bottling and does not need any further aging. LBV's are faster maturing, vintage style ports which keep their flavors for several weeks once opened. Full garnet color, rich flavor and complex, dry finish. The 1994 vintage has been rated one of the three best of the century. Serve at room temperature with assorted nuts, blue cheese and fruit or slightly chilled as an aperitif.

Sandeman Ruby Port

Ruby red port imported from Portugal. The House of Sandeman was founded in 1790 in London. A blend of wines from three or four different years, ranging from three to seven years old. Red port wines that are fruity are blended with more mature wines for depth of flavor and character. Young, robust and rich. Good served after dinner with nuts or Stilton cheese.

Sandeman 20 yr Tawny Port

A blended tawny port imported from Oporto, Portugal in which the average age of the ports used for the blend is 20 years old. Imported by the House of Sandeman which was founded in 1790 in London. Aged in oak casks during which it acquires its golden tawny color. Deep amber color. Aromas of caramel, hazelnut, blackberry jam and plums. Flavors of elderberries, cocao and cake. Ready to serve when bottled and will hold its flavor for one month after opening. 'Kindred Spirits' gives it a **** (highly recommended) rating. Serve with Stilton cheese and nuts at the end of the meal or as an aperitif.

Sandeman Tawny Port

Fortified wine imported from Portugal. Warm mahogany color. A blend of wines that can range in age from three to five years old. These wines mature quickly and lose their ruby red color to become a tawny port. Mellow, fruity taste and fresh, youthful finish. Can be served slightly chilled as an aperitif or at room temperature as an after dinner drink.

Sandeman Founders Reserve Port

Ruby port that is a blend of ports ranging in age from four to six years that are usually rich and full-bodied. Deep ruby color. Aromas of black pepper and flavors of vanilla, nuts and pears. Very balanced. 'Kindred Spirits' gives it a *** (recommended) rating.

Taylor 10yr Tawny Port

Tawny port imported from Portugal. A blend of full-bodied red ports that have been aged in wood for an average of ten years. Ports of age are blended for freshness, balance and continuity of style. As the port ages it loses its fruit qualities and gains nutty characteristics. Russet color with flavors of fruits and nuts. Crisp finish. Serve with cheeses, nuts and desserts based on nuts, caramel, coffee and chocolate. Ready to drink.

Taylor L.B.V. 1990 Porto

Ruby port imported from Portugal. Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman were the creators of the late-bottled vintage wine. Originally conceived as an alternative to more expensive and often hard to find vintage ports. LBV is lighter, less complex, and less concentrated than vintage port. Aged in cask from four to six years, It is ready to drink,requires no decanting and has a longer shelf life once uncorked that a mature vintage port. Serve with full-flavored cheeses, nuts or as an after dinner drink.

Taylor 20yr Tawny Port

Tawny port imported from Portugal. A blend of full-bodied vintage quality red ports that are aged in the cask rather than bottles like vintage ports. Tawny ports of age are blended for freshness, balance and continuity of style and the age shown is an average age of the ports blended. Tawny/brown/red color. Dry aromas of herbs, citrus, and black tea. Hints of fruit underly nutty, caramel flavors. Nice balanced finish. 'Kindred Spirits' gives it a *** (recommended) rating. Ready to drink and good with cheeses, nuts and desserts.

Warre's LBV Port

Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is a port of one harvest and of particularly good quality. Aged for four years before bottling and another nine years in the bottle. Aromas of berry fruit, plums, fruit cake, and chocolate. Smooth and balanced with a silken texture. Winner of the silver medal at the 1997 San Francisco Fair International Wine Competition. Ready to drink. Will require decanting before drinking to remove sediment.

Warre's Otima 10 Yr Tawny Port

Aged 10 year old tawny port from the Duoro Valley of Portugal. A lighter style of Port. Light tawny color. Aromas of dried fruits and walnuts. Flavors of nuts and mature fruit with dense caramel and walnut notes. Long, fresh finish. Does not need decanting. Ready to drink. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature. Named Best Fortified Wine by 'Decanter' magazine for March 2000 and 'Wine & Spirits International' for February 2000.

Warre's Otima 20 Yr. Tawny Port

A blend of tawny ports aged a full twenty years in seasoned oak casks imported from Portugal. Copper color with soft nutty aromas. Rich, delicate, balanced. Serve straight up as an aperitif or after dinner drink.

Warre's Warrior Port

The oldest brand of port in the world. Warre & Co. was founded in 1670. Deep ruby color. Fresh, fruity nose. Flavors of vanilla, cherry, spice and plum with some tanin.

Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry

The best selling imported sherry in the U.S. Produced in the Spanish town of Jerez de la Frontera. A blend of solera-aged sherry, fino, amontillado and cream sherries. Deep golden-brown color. Creamy, nutty flavors with intense nutty aftertaste. Serve as an aperitif or on-the-rocks with a twist or wedge of lime.

Savory & James Amontillado Shy

Amontillado style (medium-bodied and dry to off-dry) sherry imported from Spain.

Savory & James Cream Sherry

Cream sherry imported from Spain. Cream sherry, also known as Amoroso, is usually darker, more full-bodied and sweeter than dry or fino sherries.

Sandeman Armada Cream Sherry

Cream sherry imported from Spain. Orange/yellow color. Aroma of ripe plums. Not overly sweet. Serve after dinner or with desserts.

W & H Dry Sack Sherry

Medium dry sherry produced and bottled in Spain. Known by the heavy cloth bag that it is shipped in. May be served over ice or in various cocktails.

Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira

Sweet, viscous and deeply flavored fortified wine from the island of Madeira which is off the coast of Morocco. Similar to port in texture and taste but can range from somewhat dry to very sweet. This Madeira is slightly sweet, tangy, perfumed and well balanced.

Columbo Marsala Dry

Dry marsala imported from the province of Trapani in Western Sicily in Italy. Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia grapes are used. Aged in French oak casks over one year. Warm amber color and full-bodied taste. Excellent wine for cooking.

Columbo Marsala Sweet

Sweet marsala imported from the province of Trapani in Western Sicily, Italy. Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia grapes are used. Aged in French oak casks over one year. Warm amber color and full-bodied taste. Complex and well-rounded flavor. Excellent wine for cooking.

Florio Marsala Dry

Fortified wine (which means that brandy has been added) imported from Sicily, Italy. The grapes used are left on the vines for an extended period so that they provide a very sweet juice for the base wine, though the 'dry' marsala is less sweet than the 'sweet' marsala. This is a 'Fine' marsala which means that it has been aged in wood for at least four months. Hints of vanilla and raisins.Most often used in cooking in such dishes as veal or chicken marsala or serve as an aperitif.

Florio Marsala Sweet

Fortified wine (which means that brandy has been added to the wine) imported from Sicily, Italy. The grapes are left on the vine for an extended period to produce a heavy, sweet juice for marsala's base wine. This is sweeter than the 'dry' marsala. Flavors of dates and apricots. Most often used in cooking such dishes as veal or chicken marsala but is also delicious as an after-dinner wine.

Gallo Fairbanks Port

Domestic fortified wine from one of the largest producers of wine in the world. This is a ruby port which has a ruby red color, is full-bodied, fruity and sweet. Good served with cheeses or as an after dinner drink

ISC Port

Ruby port made in America. Robust with intense cherry and cassis flavors. Serve as an after dinner drink.

Taylor Port

Domestic port made in New York state. Semi-sweet, full-bodied, ruby port. May be served on-the-rocks or at room temperature, with soda or a twist. Good with dessert or for sipping.

Sheffield Cellars Tawny Port

Domestic tawny port from Sheffield Cellars which is owned by Gallo. Tawny port is aged longer than ruby and looses some of its bright red color as it ages resluting in a 'tawny' brown/amber color. Tawny is also drier than ruby port. Can be served at room temperature or chilled, with dessert, or as an after dinner drink.

Taylor Tawny Port

Domestic tawny port made in New York state. Lighter and drier than regular (ruby) port. May be served on-the-rocks or at room temperature.

Gallo Fairbanks White Port

Domestic white port from the largest producer of wine in the world. White port is made from only white grapes, is aged in wooden casks like ruby or tawny port but is generally less sweet than other types of port.

Gallo Fairbanks Sherry

Medium dry, full-bodied sherry from California. Aged for a mellow, nutty flavor. Good served as an aperitif.

ISC Straight Sherry

Sherry made in America. Nutty flavors particularly almond. Good in soups, sauces and salads.

Taylor Cooking Sherry

A blend of premium New York state sherries. No added salt (many cooking sherries have added salt and are quite salty tasting).

Taylor Golden Sherry

Domestic golden sherry made in New York state. A soft, medium-dry sherry with a mellow nutty flavor. Can be served on-the-rocks or at room temperature. Good with hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

Sheffield Cellars Cream Sherry

Domestic cream sherry from Sheffield Cellars which is owned by Gallo. Cream sherry is usually darker, more full-bodied and sweeter than regular or dry sherry. Good served with desserts or as an after dinner drink.

Taylor Cream Sherry

Domestic (made in New York) cream sherry. Full-bodied, semi-sweet sherry with a slightly nutty flavor. Can be served on the rocks or at room temperature. A good dessert or after dinner sherry.

Sheffield Cellars V Dry Sherry

Very dry domestic sherry from Sheffield Cellars which is owned by Gallo. A very dry sherry is less sweet, paler and lighter than other sherries and has a nutty, yeasty flavor. Good served chilled as an aperitif.

Taylor Dry Sherry

Dry sherry made in the U.S (New York state). Honey color. A crisp, dry sherry with a hint of nuts. Can be served chilled or on the rocks, with a twist or with soda. Good as a before dinner cocktail.

Cribari Madeira

Fortified wine made in California. Made by a method called 'baking' which recreates the flavor of the first madeiras that literally baked on board ship as they were transported from Spain across the oceans. Deeply flavored like port but can range from very dry to very sweet. Good as an aperitif or added to your favorite chicken or veal recipe.

Cribari Marsala

Fortified wine made in California. A robust wine that adds a unique, nutty flavor to chicken or veal dishes such as veal marsala. One of the most popular wines used in cooking. Marsala has a brownish, honey color and flavors of dried fruits such as raisins, plums, prunes and fig.

Dubonnet Blanc Aperitif

Aperitif from the U.S. This is a wine based beverage created in 1846 by a French wine merchant. Today Dubonnet is still made according to the original family recipe which consists of wine, a blend of herbs and spices that are infused into the wine base to creat a flavor that is not too sweet and not too dry. An alternative to traditional cocktails. Serve chilled or on the rocks.

Dubonnet Rouge Aperitif

Aperitif made in the U.S. A wine-based beverage created in 1846 by a French wine merchant. It is still made according to the original family recipe which consists of wine and a blend of herbs and spices that are infused into the wine to create a flavor that is not too sweet and not too dry. Cranberry/tawny color. Tart nose with aromas of grapes and fruit. Fresh and clean flavors with notes of cranberry and fruit. Sweet and sour finish. Good served chilled, on the rocks, or with club soda and a slice of orange.

G & D Marsala

Fortified wine from Gambarelli and Davitto of California. Robust wine that adds a unique flavor to chicken or veal dishes such as veal marsala. One of the most popular wines used in cooking. Marsala has a brownish, honey color and flavors of dried fruits such as raisins, plums, prunes and fig.

Paul Masson Madiera

Madeira style fortified wine (somewhat similar to port) made in the U.S. Made from fermented grape juice and brandy. Can be served before dinner as an aperitif or in veal and chicken recipes.

Sheffield Cellars Marsala

Fortified wine from California. Robust wine that adds a unique flavor to chicken or veal dishes such as veal marsala. One of the most popular wines used in cooking. Marsala has a brownish, honey color and flavors of dried fruits such as raisins, plums, prunes and fig. Can also be served as an aperitif or slightly chilled with hearty, spicy cheeses.

Taylor New York Marsala

Deeply golden, warm and fruity, It is a creamy, medium sweet marsala with raisin-like flavoring. Use in gourmet cooking recipes such as Veal or Chicken Marsala, or as a dessert wine. Serve at room temperature.

Taylor Madeira

Domestic madeira style wine. Great for cooking or sipping. Smooth nutty, sherry-like character. Use in lo-carb recipes such as Beef Roast with Madeira Sauce (with just two carbohydrates per serving) and Beef Tenderloin and Asparagus with Madeira Sauce (with only eight carbohydrates per serving).

Lillet Blanc Aperitif

Aperitif imported from France. White-wine appearance. Aromas of quinine, minerals, wine and citrus. Flavors of dry wine, citrus and spice. Rrefreshing finish. 'Kindred Spirits' gives it a *** (recommended) rating.

Lustau 'Jarana' Fino Sherry

Imported dry sherry. Medium gold/hay color. Generous bouquet. Fresh, dry and crispy flavors. The 'Wine Enthusiast' gives it a 90 point rating and considers it a Best Buy. Serve well chilled as an aperitif.

Lustau 'Los Acros' Amontillado Sherry

Medium-bodied, dry sherry imported from Spain. Brilliant orange/amber color. Flavors of Brazil nut and citrus. The 'Wine Enthusiast' gives it 87 points and considers it a Best Buy. 'Kindred Spirits' gives it ***. Serve slightly chilled with food.

Pedro Romero Dry Fino Sherry

Dry sherry imported from Spain. The Romero family has been producing sherry since 1860. Pale, dry, light sherry. Serve well chilled with salty appetizers or alone as an aperitif. 'The Wine Advocate' says it is 'fresh, lively, and intensely flavored' and gives it 88 points (very good).

Pedro Romero Dry Oloroso Sherry

Dry Oloroso Sherry imported from Spain. The Romero family has been producing sherry since 1860. Full, rich and heady. Serve at room temperature as a complement to grilled red meats or meats with rich sauces or as an after dinner drink. 'The Wine Advocate' gives it 88 points (very good).

Pedro Romero Medium Dry Amontillado

Medium Dry Amontillado sherry imported from Spain. The Romero family has been producing sherry since 1860. Nutty and round. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled during the meal or as a dessert wine.

Pedro Romero Full Oloroso Sherry

Oloroso Sherry (not overly sweet) imported from the south of Spain. Bodegas (means house of, or winery) Pedro Romero is family owned and operated. 'Tastings Magazine' says the Rich Oloroso has,'Brilliant amber golden hue with almond, dried pear and iodine aromas. Medium-bodied, this has medium sweetness and a clean, refreshing finish', and gives it 87 points and a Best Buy Rating.

Pedro Romero Dry Amontillado

Dry, rich sherry imported from the south of Spain. 'The Wine Advocate' says, 'The Amontillado Dry Rich Sherry, which is an oxidized style of Fino, exhibits an amber color along with plenty of roasted nut and citrus characteristics', and gives it 90 points (Outstanding). Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled, as an aperitif or during the meal.

Pedro Romero Cream Sherry

Cream, sweet sherry imported from the south of Spain. 'The Wine Advocate' says,'The Cream Sherry Full Sweet is an Oloroso blended with Pedro Ximenez. Medium dark amber-colored, soft, and sweet, with broad, savory, creamy, nutty flavors, this beauty should be consumed at the end of a meal, or as the importer suggested, poured over vanilla ice cream', and gives it a 90 (Outstanding) rating. Serve slightly chilled or on-the-rocks.

Feist 10 Yr. Tawny

Ten year old tawny port imported from Portugal. Pale orange-red color. Medium-bodied. Notes of dates, figs and brown spice. The Buying Guide to Spirits says that the 'Smooth butterscotch palate has richness of mouthfee land generous spicy oak flavors through the finish' and gives it 85 points (highly recommended).

Feist Full Rich Madeira 3 Yr.

Full rich madeira wine imported from Madeira Island, Portugal. Full rich madeira is sweet and produced by fortifying the wine earlier in the fermentation process. Brown-amber hue. Peach and caramel aromas. Smooth, viscous, full-bodied palate. Sweet fruit up-front flavors with a spicy finish. Use anywhere you would drink tawny port. The Beverage Tasting Institute gives it 85 points and rates it a Best Buy.

Feist 1999 Vintage Port

Made in the traditional vintage style with forward fruit, full, complex flavors. Ruby color. Aromas of clove, blackberry and raspberry jam. Ready to drink now or may be cellared for many years. Tastings Magazine gives it 87 points (Highly Recommended).

Feist 1994 Coheita Port

While other port producers declared 1994 to be a vintage year, Feist held back their 1994 harvest to make this Colheita (single vintage tawny) which may be the 'coheita of the century'. The long cask aging imparts a degree of complexity to this otherwise spicy port style. Feist's most reasonable priced and maybe their best colheita yet. Tastings Magazine gives it 85 points and highly recommends it.

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Some of the above descriptions are based on information in the following sources:

• Kindred Spirits by F. Paul Pacult. Hyperion, New York, New York, 1997.
• Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch by Michael Jackson. Dorling Kindersky Limited, London and Running Press Book Publishers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1989-91.