Recently, I was enthroned into the Confraria do Vinho do Porto (Port Wine Brotherhood) as a Cavaleiro (Knight) in “recognition for my dedication and service to Port Wine.” Understandably, I was incredibly honored, but my invitation also came with several questions as to what exactly occurred. For this reason, I wanted to share a short […]
How I became a Knight of the Port Wine Brotherhood Read More »
Editor’s note: With the March being recognized for stories about inspiring women (also known as Women’s History Month in the USA), we thought it would be fitting to honor the only female master blender existing today, Ana Rosas, of the renowned Ramos-Pinto port house. A woman that oozes with, grace, passion and the warmest of
Women’s History Month: Exploring the Maternal Side of Winemaking Read More »
I’m a chocolate lover. I’m also a fig lover. Then I took a trip to the Algarve and discovered that chocolate and fig had a love child, and its name is Alfarroba. Vacationing in the Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, has its benefits; and it’s not just for the beach and the great weather.
Alfarroba: Southern Portugal’s Guilt-Free Dessert Read More »
I’ll admit, there are times I desperately wish to transport myself back to Barcelona, to the autumn sun, to the calm beaches, to the lazy outdoor terraces. And it’s not because Barcelona is any better or worse than Porto, it’s because it’s simply…dry. Come autumn, Porto turns into a wicked stepchild, throwing a massive tantrum of blustery
Top 5 Ways to Enjoy the Autumn Rain Read More »
Shared between three autonomous communities (Principado de Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León), the Picos de Europa mountain range towers above the north-western Spanish seaboard south of the Bay of Biscay. These mighty limestone mountains with steeply jagged peaks, deep cave formations and exuberant alpine forests are home to some of the most captivating blue
Cheese from Picos de Europa: Home of the Spanish Blues Read More »
Editor’s Note: In Part I, Sonia visited some of the Douro’s enchanting wine-producing villages, took in prehistoric art at the Coa Museum with wine glass in hand, savored the rustic flavors of the Beira Interior at O Lagar, and was nearly run over by a pickup truck packed with shouting, shirtless men in the historic village of
A Tale of Two Portuguese Regions: Douro & Serra da Estrela Are Calling Part II Read More »
Imagine traveling about an hour through pitch black darkness, going to sleep not quite sure where you are at the moment—only to find yourself a few hours later waking up to intense beauty. That’s not likely how I would’ve planned it, but in the end that’s part of what made the whole experience so memorable. The
A Tale of Two Portuguese Regions: Douro and Serra da Estrela Read More »
Like most of northern Portugal, the geology of the Minho region is dominated by granite rocks. Rolling hills with massive round boulders cluster around peaks or are strewn about slopes and sandy river banks in the valleys. Every now and again, on my hikes through the forests or along the country lanes, I come across
Schist: A Cultural Staple in the Douro Valley and Beyond Read More »
With the plentiful information we’ve provided about Port and Douro wines, and the beautiful area they originate from this November, hopefully, you’re itching to put together the perfect wine trip to the Douro Valley. Lists of the wineries you’re dying to visit are being rapidly typed up. Maps are strewed across your kitchen table. And
Douro Wines and Portuguese Food: The Perfect Pairings Read More »
Editor’s Note: Many moons ago, Ryan and I had the privilege of cracking open our first birth year wine; which translates to a wine produced on the year of your birth. Having coasted well into our 30’s, there are few wines that could last the test of time other than a wine with a touch of fortification, such as
The Art of Choosing Your Birth Year Port Read More »
Many of us who love a good glass of wine would agree with Robert Louis Stevenson, whose famous quote says “Wine is bottled poetry”. And while I may not recite Emily Dickenson or Thoreau with every glass, there is no doubt that certain wines speak to us in ways that elicit the feelings that are
IVDP: The Structural Body Behind Quality Port Wine Read More »
So, you’ve heard about Port Wine and how it’s fantastic, life-enhancing and a gift from nature, but if you can’t make it to Porto for your own guided Port Tour, which one to drink at home? Sometimes the stuff we build to help make sense of life actually gets in the way of enjoying it.
What Port to Choose and When Read More »
They do it in Bordeaux. They do it in Champagne. They do it in many of the world’s best wine regions to enhance longevity and endurance. So what are all these classic and sophisticated regions doing to enhance their wares? Blending of course! Another revered style of wine, in line with Bordeaux and Champagne, that
As I discovered on a recent trip to Porto and the beautifully terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, having an understanding of the different ports not only provides a greater appreciation of the stuff itself, but quickly demonstrates that port wine isn’t just the rich, sweet, dark red taste of Christmas, but that its different guises,
The Essential Guide to Port Wine Read More »
Do you remember as a kid in the playground, climbing to the top of a slide and looking down to the bottom, thinking how high up you were? Well, standing at the top of any of the near-vertical vineyards in Portugal’s Douro Valley is a similar sensation! The Douro Valley runs west to east, 70km
The Place Behind the Port: Diving into the Douro Valley Read More »
