The Douro Valley is rightly considered a wonder of Nature. The river extends for 900 kilometres throughout Iberia, as both the Douro and Duero, and carves its way from the Portuguese border to the Atlantic when it reaches Porto. On its journey, the Douro river has carved a meandering path that is simply mesmerising from […]
The Nature of the Douro 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 »
Editor’s Note: Today, we start the very exciting project of covering the Douro Valley for the next month. This means that all things Portuguese will be gracing your computer, consisting of a vast array of Portuguese food, culture, tourism, and of course, wine. Enjoy! For those arriving by air, the first impressions of Portugal’s Douro
Welcome to Porto: The Gateway to the Valley Read More »
Dreams can be silly. Not the kind that leave you befuddled in the morning, wondering if you’re awake or asleep, but the type that remain on your “maybe one day” wish list. I had a dream. From the moment I learned about how Port wine was made, I wanted to climb into the lagars and
Douro: A Portuguese Region Sprinkled with Pixie Dust Read More »
Approaching the traditional Spanish culinary table conjures images of manchego cheese, gazpacho, calamares fritos (fried calamari), jamón iberico, gambas ajillo (shrimp with garlic), and tortilla española. Taking a seat at the traditional Mallorcan table, rarely does one find any of these. The sordid and universal history of Mallorca has served to provide the island with
Part II: Mallorca – Diversity at the Table Read More »
Despite Portugal being one of the smallest countries in southern-western Europe—about the size of the state of Indiana—it is blessed with contrasting terroirs and region-specific wine varietals that result in an abundance of wine and spirits offerings. Home to the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, Portugal’s long-standing tradition in wine-making
Portuguese Wine Pack to Entertain Family without Breaking the Bank Read More »
In the summer, Lisbon – and Portugal in general – has always been a huge draw for visitors, and this trend doesn’t look to be subsiding. What’s interesting is the considerable rise in independent and extended-stay vacationing, pushing an equal rise in food shopping – after all, there’s no hotel room service is a hostel/flat, no matter how
How to Shop For Food In Portugal: What and Where to Find the Best Produce in Season Read More »
Typically, early morning hours in Spain are gorgeous, with a gentle breeze that delicately caresses your skin, awakening your senses and offering the perfect compliment to your first cup of coffee. Paired with pan con tomate, or a simple yoghurt and fresh fruit mix, it’s my favorite time of the day! Recently, however, I’ve been
Spanish Cocktail: Lemon Cava Sorbet Read More »
Amidst the periphery of the northeastern Iberian coastline lies one of the jewels in the Spanish crown – Mallorca (often spelt Majorca by English speakers). For years, I longed to visit the Balearics and only recently did that wish become reality. One luxurious week on an island in the Med. Would it be the experience I
Part 1: Mallorca: The Jewel of the Mediterranean Read More »
Editor’s note: In Part I, we quelled our ‘saudade’ with a trip to the seaside town of Setubal for its piscatorial delights, then journeyed to the countryside village of Monsanto for carnivorous temptations. In Part II, we go to the root of it, Lisbon, the capital of ‘saudade.’ In the Fado classic, “Cheira Bem Cheira
Part 2: Summer Recipes to Quell Portuguese ‘Saudade’ Read More »
Editor’s Note: In our two-part series, Sonia travels through the seaside town of Setubal for sumptuous red snapper and then head to the historic hilltop village of Monsanto to chomp on succulent veal. In Part II, we take it to the capital of “saudade,” Lisbon. In late May, I left for Portugal on vacation. I hadn’t been
Part 1: Soulful Summer Recipes to Quell Portuguese ‘Saudade’ Read More »
There is a quiet revolution happening in Spain. Everywhere, youth, elderly and everyone in between are waking up to flavor. They are starting to demand quality, while seeking variety. This quiet revolution saw it’s first rumblings in 2005, and within a few years, has experienced rapidly building excitement throughout the Spanish countryside. Last March, a
The Flavor Revolution Read More »
Frango is Portuguese for chicken, it’s far from KFC or Popeyes’, rather it’s a specific type of chicken that is best roasted or grilled over hot coals – normally called Frango no Churrasco (chicken on the grill) or Frango na Brasa (chicken on the hot coals) *Note: The term galinha normally refers to a larger, fattier chicken that’s stewed or used for soup*.
A blanc de noir and a noir de blanc (or “A story of cross-dressing grapes”) When we ‘closed’ Catavino (or rather, put up the virtual ‘gone fishing’ sign), we hinted that our finale might end up being more of a pause in our existence. With time and resources being limited, we opted to focus on those projects
The Possibility of Impossibilities Read More »
Over the years that I’ve lived in Portugal, I have developed an appreciation for some relatively off-the-wall flavors; dishes that I would’ve stayed clear of if they weren’t ordered by a fellow diner. What a shame it would have been to miss out on so many extraordinary flavors. Portugal has brought out the proud “foodie”
10 Delicious Reasons Why You Should Visit Portugal! Read More »
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