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Cheers…History of Port Wine

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Port is a fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. It takes its name from the city of Porto, which is located at the mouth of the Rio Douro, or River of Gold. Port is typically a sweet red wine, however there are semi-dry and white varieties, too.

It came about somewhat by accident in the late 17th century, when the British began shipping thousands of casks of wine from the Douro valley to Britain. In order to endure the long journey, the wine was fortified with brandy to stop the fermentation process, thus producing a naturally sweet wine that traveled well.

No visit to Porto would be complete without a tour of one or more of the port wine lodges. Cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia where you will find many lodges, and a number of them are open to the public.  Enjoy the tastings, learn how port is made and stored, and finish off the visit with a fine meal at one of the lodges.

Here are a few lodges you may want to visit – click on the name to visit their website:

For more information on the port wine lodges, click here to visit the website of the Association of Port Wine Companies (AEVP).

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information, click here.

Photo credit: Jon Sullivan

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Cheers…Portugal’s Other Wine: Vinho Verde

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Most people are familiar with Port wine, the fortified wine named after Portugal’s second largest city. But there is also another uniquely Portuguese wine produced in the Minho region called vinho verde, which literally means “green wine.” The name “green” refers to the freshness of the wine, and not to the color, as the grapes are picked late and it is intended to be drunk within a year of bottling.

Vinhos verdes are light and fresh, have a lower alcohol content, and are a little bit fizzy. There are both red and white varieties; the reds are deep red in color and tannic, and the whites are lemon or straw colored, with fruity and floral aromas.

Vinhos verdes are served chilled, and go well with citrus-inspired foods and seafood. They are a perfect summer wine.

A few Minho region vineyards – click on name for their website:

Photo credit: Comissão de Viticultura da Região dos Vinhos Verdes

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

On the Menu…41°, Barcelona (Spain)

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If you didn’t get a chance to dine at Ferran Adrià’s famous 3-star Michelin restaurant El Bulli on the Costa Brava, have no fear.…Ferran and his brother Albert have opened two new places in Barcelona that are easier to get to, and easier to get into.

In January 2011 the brothers opened a cocktail bar named 41°, which refers to the parallel of latitude where it is located on the Avenida del Paralelo near the Plaza de España.

Along with a cocktail menu, the bar also serves “snacks”, which get raised to a whole new level when it’s the innovative Adrià in the kitchen. There is also a selection of oysters and caviar to choose from. Next door to 41° they have opened a second establishment called Tickets, which offers a wider selection of tapas.

  • Avenida del Paralelo, 164
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Phone: +34 (93) 454 36 72

Update: 41° has CLOSED, but its sister restaurant Tickets remains open.

Website: Tickets.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.