Vinho do Porto
Ever since first tasting port wine, it has become my favorite drink. On my last visit to Portugal we therefore decided to visit Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, the birth place of port and the economic heart for the production and distribution of Port.
Port is produced from grapes grown in the Douro region. The wine produced is then fortified with the addition of a Brandy in order to stop the fermentation and to boost the alcohol content. It is then stored and aged in barrels.
There are different styles ranging from Ruby Port, which is a young, sweet and smooth port to the more expensive 30 or 40 year old Tawny Ports, which are matured in wooden barrels, which increase the intensity, giving it a less sweet (dryer) flavor with hints of walnut.
The original port cellars are located in Vila Nova de Gaia which is a town located along the river Douro. Across the river from Vila Nova de Gaia is Porto. From hotel Pestana, a characteristic hotel in the old town of Porto, we had beautiful views of Vila Nova de Gaia and the port wineries such as Sandeman, Ferreira, Offley and Calem.
The bridge crossing the river Douro, and connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, can be crossed down on the riverside but also from the higher part of Porto. The biggest advantage of taking this second higher road is that it brings you to the more quiet parts of Vila Nova de Gaia and away from the waterside which is a true tourist trap, with Port wineries such as Calem and Sandeman offering big tours, unfriendly staff and no charm.
The streets away from the river do not seem to have changed much from the days when they first started making port, and you can actually smell the port in the street. Most smaller wineries also have tours and tastings, and we were lucky enough to stumble upon Offley, which offered a much more personal tour of the warehouse, finishing with a tasting of two different ports. Also, for a few Euros there is the option of tasting other more expensive ports such as the 10, 20 and 30 year old ports, which is a unique opportunity to taste the wide range of flavors port offers.
If you ever are in Portugal it is definitely worth it to visit Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and its wineries. Perhaps the city is not as vibrant as Lisbon, but with its rich history, and of course the opportunity to taste a wide range of port, you will not be disappointed. But just be aware that the port wineries are active warehouses and therefore most are only open on weekdays during business hours.
