Just as the
leaves are changing their colors and the grape harvest is still in
progress we are leaving California. We are off to the Douro Valley wine region of Portugal, to check out fall colors, grape harvest
and great wines. The Douro
Valley, Portugal is a must for wine lovers,
especially if the wine lover appreciates learning more about port. Yes, fly me to the Douro Valley. I am so ready to check it out.
 |
| Port tasting, Bistro Cinq, Antigua Guatemala © Spaswinefood |
Been thinking about port for awhile
During the year my Spaswinefood thoughts have shifted to the Douro Valley whenever I
have heard the name port mentioned. I have followed discussions on
port in wine blogger discussion groups. In January 2012 I organized a
small group to celebrate International Port Day at Bisto Cinq in Antigua,
Guatemala.
 |
| Ready to taste Port at Bistro Cinq, Antigua Guatemala © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Port tasting at Bistro Cinq, Antigua Guatemala © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Port paired with cheese (Bistro Cinq, Antigua Guatemala) © Spaswinefood |
As things progressed with our plans to attend the European wine
bloggers conference (#EWBC12) in Izmir, Turkey we explored the possibility of
planning a pre-trip to the Douro Valley.
Off to see quintas and port lodges
Finally we
made the decision to go. I did a little research in preparation for the visit. I
read the article by Robin Dorhn-Simpson about her
visit to the Douro. I can certainly identify with her openness to learn about
port. Shane Mitchell's article
captures some of the scenic beauty of the Douro Valley. Then there was the awesome document Life on the Douro, by Zen Robinson. Let me not forget to mention the many breath taking photos of the Douro Valley that I have seen.
The quintas
(or vineyards) where the grapes are grown are where some visitors chose to
stay. This was our choice. Thanks to a tip from a fellow wine lover I
discovered Quinta do Portal. The winemaker provided me with some information. After a quick look at the link it was the obvious
choice. Check out Great Western Wine, MartaVine and Roy Herst articles on this quinta. Using this as a base we will explore other quintas in the area.
While in the Douro Valley we will also spend some time in Porto (Oporto) to explore the port lodges. Port
lodges in Porto number over 50. During our brief visit we will visit a few
of these port lodges. There we will taste and learn more about the types of port . Jason Bandt Lewis article gives an overview of port wines. See also the classification system, which grades port vineyards.
 |
| Graham's Port tasting at EWBC11 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Graham's Quinta Dos Malvedos Vintage Port 1999 tasting at EWBC11 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Graham's Quinta Dos Malvedos Vintage Port 1999 at EWBC11 © Spaswinefood |
Fall colors,
grape harvest and great ports make for the perfect trip to the Douro Valley wine region. Fall
is the perfect time, after all the summer tourists have gone. Fall is also a perfect time to check out Portugal’s wine regions. During a fall visit you will see the
leaves changing colors and check out the grape harvest.
 |
Port tasting at Bistro Cinq, Antigua Guatemala © Spaswinefood
|
Finally, the
time has arrived and soon we are off to the Douro Valley, Portugal. Spaswinefood is certainly excited about this idea. I have been
following the harvest there this year. It looks like I may even see some of it.
Then maybe if I am really lucky I will get to stomp a few grapes. I am so
looking forward to tasting and learning about all things port.
Sharon
October 2012
Sorry I missed the port tasting in Antigua.
ReplyDeleteBut, there be another in 2013!!!
ReplyDelete