A Week Exploring Lisbon in Preparation for the EWBC
You would imagine that heading out to Lisbon 7 months before the conference might be a little eager, but as we see it, the sooner we can stir up a tidal wave of passion for this event, the better the event will be. Call it naivete, but passion and curiosity is what made us fall in love not only with wine, but with the people within this dynamic, complex and thought-provoking community. Hence, far be it for us to sit on our laurels, hoping that interest will stir naturally, when we can meet face to face those people who make Lisbon the incredible city it is.
And wow, is it ever an incredible city!
With our tour guide and friend, Andre Ribeirinho by our side, we spent close to a week touring venues, met with a wide range of potential sponsors, brainstormed various ways in which we could make this conference unique and fun, and overall, basked in the food, wine and breathtaking beauty of Lisbon. And fortunately, we are happy to report that the enthusiasm couldn’t be more tangible and alive! If this initial burst of energy from Portugal is any indication of what will come in the next 7 months, this conference will rock the wine world!
Granted, eating amazing grilled fish, delicious creme filled pastries, perfectly creamy and flavorful espresso (some of the best coffee in the world), and a new and different Portuguese wine every night can add rose colored glasses to any situation. But if the fresh food and diverse wines of Portugal are to blame for my enthusiastic prose, it could be worse.
Clearly, we’re excited for yet another excuse to head back to Lisbon, if only to enjoy tender octopi drenched in a savory olive oil, perfectly browned and crusty breads, creamy and spicy goat cheeses, and fabulously delicious olives (maybe I shouldn’t be writing this article when I haven’t eaten yet?) We will be publishing some more articles in the coming days about the event, but for now, we wanted to catch you up on an incredible trip!
By the end of the day, what’s most important for us to convey to you is that over the next 7 months, we’ll need your input. No matter how much we would love to take several more trips to Portugal, they are meaningless without your feedback. Head over to the official EWBC website and give us your feedback on what Portuguese styles, regions or grapes you want to try. Let us know the conversations you’re interested in having and people you want to hear from.
In the meantime, we’ll do your best to keep you updated as news channels our way!
Saludos!
Gabriella and Ryan Opaz
PS check out Ryan messing up his EWBC announcement! 
Tongue tied!
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All right already! pastries, olive oil, wine, fish, cheeses… wine! I'll be there ok!
You've officially made my weekend spectacular Andrew
Can't wait to see you there!
Lisbon it is a beautiful city, as matter of fact the whole Portugal is a very interesting country, so I`m really happy that the EWBC will be held there.
Usually when people think about Portuguese Wines, only Port Wine came to mind, but there are so many good wines there, for example the DO Douro wines, Vinho Verde, Moscatel de Setubal just to mention a few ones, I really think that Lisbon and the Portuguese wines has a lot to offer.
I have no doubt that the EWBC will be a huge success.
ah hell, folks! wish I had known you had been here. I'm busy trying to drink my way through my collection because my days are numbered here (we leave in July).
ah hell, folks! wish I had known you had been here. I'm busy trying to drink my way through my collection because my days are numbered here (we leave in July).
Well, the good news is that we will hopefully be there again before July, and we can joyfully help you drink down some of that cellar of yours
Where are you heading off to?
Its a great city to live.
sadly, back to Washington DC for a short while. then back out…somewhere. do get in touch when you are coming back. I have a couple of hidden gem restaurants to which I'd like to take you both. actually, I just got back from the upper douro. a consortium of producers have set up a Douro Wine Museum just north of Pinhao. they've done a very nice job of it, and the range of their tastings is spectacular.
[...] various hidden outdoor markets than taking a Go Car through the city of Lisbon?! During our recent visit to Portugal, we decided to take these little bright yellow cars for a ride, and quite honestly, thoroughly [...]
Wow!
What a fantastic blog you guys have here.
Let's introduce myself, my name is Paulo and a have a Brazilian Wine Blog in Portuguese. I have heard about that EWBC in Lisbon and I'm afraid I can not participate. But I will plugged on October.
Do you mind to exchange links with my young blog?
See you around, and By the way, I added your blog in my blogroll any way.
Paulo
http://nossovinho.com
In the meanwhile, “Saludos” is spanish, not Portuguese…
You are correct dude! Dude isn't either!
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