This beautiful part of this European country has a rich history and even richer wine.
When you think of Portugal, you probably think of Lisbon with its hills and winding streets. Or perhaps you think of tinned fish and the brisk Atlantic sea. But you probably don’t think about a gorgeous valley which is lined by terraces of grape vines where the port is poured freely and the river meanders through the mountains.
Just an hour and a half drive from the charming city of Porto you’ll find the jewel in the crown of Portugal’s wine culture – the Douro Valley. This beautiful region is truly a sight to behold. As you drive through the mountains, climbing ever higher, the lush green landscape unfolds beneath you peppered with ancient vineyards and tidy terraces where locals leave their washing out the window to dry.
Once you descend the mountain again, and the valley rises up either side of you, you can see the Douro River which snakes through the country all the way down to the Atlantic coast.
The Douro Valley has been growing grapes since the Bronze Age, and archaeological evidence suggests wine has been made in the Valley since Ancient Roman times. Now, there are a number of exceptional vineyards where you can visit and taste some of the finest red, white rose and port that this gorgeous European country has to offer.
Perched atop the hillside in the valley is Quinta de Panascal. This jaw-dropping estate dates back to the 18th century and is the most important of the prestigious Port Wine Company.
When we visited on a Sunday afternoon, the sun was shining out over the river and illuminating the verdant landscape as the traditionally planted vineyards laid out in terraces below us towards the river.
Planting the vines like this means the entire vineyard is exposed to sunlight – and according to the guide who took us through the estate, temperatures can climb to over 50 degrees Celcius in the height of summer.
On the lower slopes, closer to the river, the still warm air gets trapped between the steep banks of the valley and envelops the grapes. Here the wines produced are dense and velvety, whereas on the upper slopes which reach up to 400m above sea level the grapes produce lighter and crisper flavours.
After exploring the stunning terrace, we entered the cool storehouse where six glasses of white port were ready for us to sample.
At the expert tutelage of our guide, we learned how to swirl, sniff, sip and savour the wine before swallowing it. I am not a wine snob by any means – in fact, I often eschew it for my personal favourite of cider – but this wine was something else.
The tasting consisted of four different wines and each one offered something different.
It’s an indescribable experience. There’s sweetness, acidity, fruit, caramel and every other note you could imagine. Being taught to truly appreciate what you’re consuming forces you to slow down and truly taste the wine as you learn how it’s made, and what a labour of love it is to get this much loved wine from grape to glass.
If you want to taste the best that Portugal has to offer, flights go from the UK to Porto daily. From Porto you can hire a car, or the train goes straight to the Douro Valley as well if you’d rather take it slow on public transport.
As for places to stay, The Vintage House Hotel is a gorgeous venue right on the riverbank offering gorgeous views over the water as well as its own gastronomic restaurant and bar.
