What style is this Port?

[Grape Stuff]

I've only had maybe 2 tastes of port my whole life, but this past weekend, we opened a bottle of Meyer Family Port, from Justin Meyer (rest his soul) the founder of Silver Oak, that had been in the basement for 2 years, and boy I really like that stuff. I don't know what style it is though, any help there? Also, I keep reading about the grape part of port, but what about the brandy? I'm sure the producers don't add just any old Brandy to the wine. Do they make their own? Buy from other producers? Also, one more....once the port is opened, how long can it last? I assume longer than red wine, but how, and does the refrigerator help?

Thanks!

[Bucko]

CA "Port" can be made from about anything, but the most common are Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. No idea where anyone gets their brandy.

[Georgie]

I don't refrigerate opened Port and find that it can last two to three weeks without any problem. Most of the time, however, my bottles of Port don't stick around all that long....

[Thomas]

The refrigerator likely won't hurt, but it also likely won't prolong the life any more than Georgie's time frame.

[Grape Stuff]

I would have finished it off, but my wife was at work, and would have been very unhappy if I had consumed it all for myself....So I had to put the stopper in and suck all the air out. Maybe we'll finish it off tonight. Probably a silly follow up question, but how different would a Vintage Porto, or even a 10 year Tawny taste from this CA "port" I'm drinking?

[Bucko]

Drinking a CA Port vs. a Port from a nice house e.g. Taylor, Fonseca and the like is comparatable to driving a Chevy Malibu vs. a Ferrari. Both do the job, but the latter is SO much more fun.

Vintage Port should be consumed within a week, Tawny within three weeks IMHO. They rarely last more than three days around here, three minutes if WW is around.

[Grape Stuff]

Thanks Bucko, that helps. I guess this is analogous to the White Zins I bought 15 years ago and proclaimed "Hey, I like Wine"!

[Bucko]

Not really. CA Port can be fun and tasty, but often they ask prices almost equivalent to the real thing. That is when I balk.

Guenoc always does a pretty good job with their Petite Sirah Port.