From Porto to Pinhao
SmoothRed are now offering a number of Port Wine tours up The Douro Valley. Last week I enjoyed a tremendous weekend in Porto meeting with some of our new suppliers. It really was a fantastic trip!
We arrived at the Areoporto de Pedras Rubras, probably one of the smartest airports of its size I have been to. After grabbing a taxi it was then only a twenty minute drive to the city centre on the way we passed the beaches and saw the huge rollers coming in on the sea ,we then had a meeting with our guide before being whisked off to Vila Nova de Gaia in order to visit the port house of Taylors , who on their 300th birthday Michael Broadbent ,Master of Wine author and judge of great wine wrote” For me Taylor’s holds a prime position .I have often described it as the Latour of port ,implying strength of character, sturdiness and capacity for long life….There is an additional ,inimitable Taylor characteristic: something in the make –up of the wine that gives it that Latour –like strength”, after the tour of the cellars we were then given our first port wine tasting of the day which included a Chip Dry, Taylors white port followed with a sampling of their Late Bottled Vintage, together with a twenty year old Tawny, both were paired up with a different delicious chocolate a great way to taste port!!!
Before we left it was suggested that we have a quick look round Taylor’s new hotel; The Yeatman, occupying a breathtaking position overlooking the Douro River and the historic city centre, The Yeatman enjoys stunning panoramic views from its grounds and the individually appointed guest rooms. The city gave its name to Port; Oporto has been the home of British wine shippers for over three centuries. Inspired by this heritage, The Yeatman blends the finest Portuguese traditions of hospitality with a uniquely British flair for understated and stylish comfort. At SmoothRed we are delighted to arrange for our clients to stay there, a great way to enjoy a Port Wine Tasting and wine Tours in Portugal.
It was now time to leave and check into the four star hotel that had been booked, as we were checking in I could not help and resist drinking the glass of Port that was put in front of us while we filled in the necessary forms, I thought to myself what a great touch, even if it was not quite up to the Taylors style it was still very pleasant!!! In fact I think Adam finished his before me. We then walked to the Ribeira (riverfront) to find our restaurant that been had reserved. Our seats were fantastic best in the house right by the window, I had tuna and black bean salad and we also had octopus to share followed by a huge fresh dorade (sea bream) which had been grilled, needless to say washed down with a bottle of Douro tinto still wine.
Only problem when Adam asked me to join his tour, I forgot that it was the weekend of the Masters, and being a keen golfer, it’s one of the best weekends for viewing golf, so after dinner it was suggested we find a nice bar and settle down with a glass of port or two and watch the last few holes ,well blow me down not a single bar was showing the golf, we must of wandered around all the streets popping in and out of every bar ,if you wanted football that was easy but golf was completely out of the question the whole weekend! !Even when we went back to the various hotels not one had a golf channel, however we ended up in great champagne bar, drinking a tawny port from the house of Niepoort with the most delicious chocolate tart.
The following day we started with the 6 bridges river cruise up the Douro, from the boat you can see so many interesting sights and of course the famous bridge, Dom Luis, not only that but we were also blessed with some glorious sunshine, I would recommend that any Porto Wine Tour should include a boat trip. After the excursion Adam had arranged for another Porto Wine Tasting and at a different house this time at the cellars of Calem…Then it was lunch on the Riberia strip with some local gastronomy ,a mouth watering sea food soup proceeded by a very tasty lamb stew. We then had a little time to relax strolling around the ancient city before taking the Gondola down to Vila Nova de Gaia, as we had yet another Porto Wine Tour arranged this time at Graham’s and again we were given a superb Porto Wine Tasting ,before we settled down to a feast at the brand new restaurant opened by Graham’s only a few weeks before and what a setting, high up overlooking the towns of Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia, this is definitely the way to experience dusk and the street lights gradually being put on . The service the food and the wine was faultless, the perfect addition to the gastronomy of the region, how could we leave without having a glass of port ,so we had Graham’s 1980 and their 30 year old Tawny, needless to say both were great.
Still no news on The Masters, not to worry we had the following day to look forward to. Our Driver turned up bang on time, as would be expected on a SmoothRed Wine Tour! The guide explained what was scheduled for us to visit over the next 8 or so hours. We started off by stopping off at the town of Amarante, which is a true melting pot of history, monuments and traditions. Too early for a Porto Wine Tasting but perfect for a local coffee and some sweet cakes! Then it was off to our first Quinta, here we were given a very warm welcome and our first in depth Porto Wine Tasting of the day. we had another visit to squeeze in before our lunch, it was at Quinta do Tedo owned by a Burgundian Vincent Bouchard and a Californian Kay Steffey Bouchard we had both a fascinating tour which ended with an even better Port Wine Tasting, my pick was the Late Bottled Vintage 2007 with complex aromas, soft tannins and deep rich flavours on the palate.
It was time for lunch, and Adam had booked The Vintage House overlooking the river Douro at Pinhao, it was the perfect place to relax. Enjoying wild boar and glass or two of Quinta de Vallado Douro Tinto (a splendid match being rich and spicy).It was then time to make our final two Porto Wine Tours of the day the first was to Sandeman’s and their Quinta do Seixo, the view over the Douro and Pinhao took my breath away, quite magnificent the perfect place to taste some of the best wines of the region, we were then treated to a visit and tasting at the Quinta do Panascal one of 3 top properties owned by the house of Fonseca, we left the quinta and headed back to Oporto apparently I nodded off on the journey back!! Well what a surprise!
Woke up early Monday morning turned on the T.V. to discover Adam Scott had won the Masters, with his long handed putter, I was a little disappointed to say the least. However we got ready for our concluding Porto Wine Tour at The House of Sandeman, only this time in Vila Nova de Gaia. I had a copy of my forefather’s price list from Herbert Stebbings and Sons dated 1955,and our host was delighted to see that Sandeman’s 1934 was being listed (31/- per bottle) along with their Ruby and White Port. I also explained how I used to help in the cellars during school holidays, bottling pipes of Robertson’s Game Bird Ruby only to be told this was also their brand, Luisa very kindly then produced a few bottles of port so that we could to do a small tasting although it was quite early!! One more visit to Quinta do Noval before seizing a taxi and heading for a twenty minute journey, round the coast to the beach for a quick lunch and back to the airport.
On the flight back I thought what a great few days we had had, and at SmoothRed we are delighted to be offering Porto Wine Tours. Contact sales@smoothred.co.uk for me information on wine tasting in Portugal or for Port wine tours.