Taylor Port

Taylor Port is a sweet, ruby-red fortified wine produced in New York's Finger Lakes region, bottled at 18% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rooted in over 140 years of American winemaking history, this port-style wine has earned recognition including a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, establishing it as a reliable and widely enjoyed domestic fortified wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 18%  |  Origin: Finger Lakes, New York, USA  |  Port-Style Fortified Wine  |  Producer: Taylor Wine Company

Production & Heritage

Taylor Wine Company was founded in 1880 in Hammondsport, New York, nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine region. The winery builds this port-style wine from native American grape varieties — primarily Concord, Niagara, and Catawba — that thrive in New York's cool continental climate. During fermentation, grape brandy is added to halt the process, preserving natural residual sugar and pushing the alcohol content to 18%. This fortification technique mirrors the traditional method used in Portugal's Douro Valley, but Taylor's reliance on indigenous American varietals rather than Portuguese Touriga Nacional or Tinta Roriz gives the wine a distinctly different fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The bouquet opens with ripe blackberry and dark cherry, followed by underlying layers of vanilla and warm caramel. A subtle dried-fruit quality emerges as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is sweet and round, with ripe blackberry and plum preserves dominating the initial impression. At mid-palate, flavors of fig and dark chocolate develop alongside gentle caramel and baking spice. The sweetness is full but not cloying, supported by enough acidity to maintain balance.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, velvety texture that lingers on plum and chocolate. A faint warmth from the fortification carries through without harshness.

How to Drink Taylor Port

Taylor Port drinks well slightly chilled to around 55–60°F, which tempers the sweetness and lets the fruit flavors come forward more cleanly. It also works at room temperature for those who prefer a fuller, rounder experience.

• Port and Tonic: The wine's berry sweetness plays well against the bitterness of tonic water over ice, making a simple warm-weather refresher.
• Chocolate Port Martini: Combined with chocolate liqueur and cream, the dark fruit and cocoa notes in the port amplify the dessert-cocktail character.
• Mulled Wine: Its bold sweetness and fruit-forward profile make it an ideal base for a spiced, heated winter drink with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese board or dark chocolate
• Introducing a newcomer to fortified wines without overwhelming complexity
• Cooking and deglazing — adding depth to pan sauces, reductions, and braised meats
• Casual entertaining where an approachable dessert wine is welcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Port taste like? Taylor Port is a sweet, medium-bodied fortified wine with dominant flavors of ripe blackberry, plum preserves, and dark chocolate, accented by caramel and gentle baking spice.

How does Taylor Port compare to Croft Reserve Ruby Port? Croft Reserve Ruby is produced in Portugal's Douro Valley from traditional Portuguese grape varieties and typically presents a more structured, tannic profile with greater complexity. Taylor Port uses native American grapes from New York's Finger Lakes, resulting in a softer, more fruit-forward and approachable style at a lower price point.

Is Taylor Port good for beginners? Taylor Port is an excellent starting point for anyone new to fortified wines, as its pronounced sweetness and smooth, fruit-driven character are immediately approachable without requiring prior experience with the category.

Where is Taylor Port made? Taylor Port is produced by Taylor Wine Company in Hammondsport, New York, located in the Finger Lakes wine region. The winery was founded in 1880 and has been a longstanding producer of American wines.

What foods pair well with Taylor Port? Dark chocolate truffles complement the wine's cocoa undertones. Aged cheddar or blue cheese creates a classic sweet-savory contrast. Pecan pie echoes the caramel and nutty warmth. Roasted figs with honey mirror the dried-fruit notes. Grilled stone fruit with vanilla ice cream bridges the wine's plum and berry character.

What sizes does Taylor Port come in? Taylor Port is widely available in 750ml, 1.5L, and 3L bottles, making it accessible for both personal enjoyment and larger gatherings.

Is Taylor Port worth the price? Taylor Port positions firmly in the value tier of fortified wines, making it one of the most affordable ways to explore the port-style category in the American market without a significant financial commitment.

Why Taylor Port?

Taylor Port stands apart in the domestic fortified wine category because of its heritage — over 140 years of continuous production from one of New York's oldest wineries. The use of native American grape varieties adapted to the Finger Lakes climate gives this wine a fruit-forward identity that differs meaningfully from Portuguese ports built on Old World varietals. Its Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition validates its quality within its category. For drinkers seeking an approachable, sweet fortified wine at an accessible price, Taylor Port consistently delivers a reliable experience rooted in genuine American winemaking tradition.