Port: A sweet match for pears and blue cheese

Chambourcin is the main grape in Pirtle Winery’s rich, not-too-sweet port. In July of 1978, Pirtle Winery was established in historic Weston, Missouri. Presently, they are a small, quality-oriented winery, which allows them to give a great deal of personal attention to their wines.

The winery’s tasting room is located in a former Lutheran Evangelical Church that was built by German immigrants in 1867. Wines are produced and bottled in their production building across the street.

Chambourcin makes medium-bodied red wine that is fruity (think cherry) and earthy with soft tannins. It works well in fortified wines like port and makes an excellent food-friendly wine in a number of styles. Chambourcin, a French-American hybrid, is great on its own but even better with food. Pair with pork, burgers or red-sauced pasta. Top it off with mushrooms to bring out the earthiness of the wine.

• Sounds like: sham-bor-san

• Looks like: violets

• Smells like: cherries and light oak

• Tastes like: dark cherry meets earthiness

• Feels like: smooth, soft tannins

• Pairs well with: tailgates, bonfires, pork loin, burgers, short ribs, red sauce, mushrooms, applesauce, strawberries, figs, Brie, Camembert, walnuts, cobbler and chocolate cake