Adam Stebbings is SmoothRed’s founder and director.
In October 2015, he visited Porto and the Douro Valley for three days of tours and tastings of the region’s very finest wineries. This is his report.
Our trip to Porto began in style with a wonderful lunch at the Barão Fladgate restaurant, a spectacular location in the grounds of Taylors’ Port cellars with magnificent views across the Douro River to the old historic centre of Porto. With a contemporary interpretation of traditional cuisine we enjoyed a glass – or two – of Croft Pink with mackerel lime, teriyaki, fish sauce and salmon eggs followed by the famous bacalhau (dried and salted cod) complimented with Quanta Terra Grande Reserva and finishing with an amazing crème brûlée wrapped in crispy pastry, chocolate and hazelnut ice cream, accompanied by a magnificent Fonseca Terra Prima – the perfect companion with Brulee!
Next up was an exclusive visit to Taylor’s cellars, ending with (of course) the opening of a Taylors Vintage Port.
After that, we enjoyed another private visit, tour and tasting – this time to Sandeman. The tour concluded with a comprehensive tasting of the last few decades of tawnies – from the 10 to the 20, 30 and 40 year old vintages.
The evening continued with a sampling of more wines on the river front perched above the buzzing Cais da Ribeira. The Wine Quay Bar offers a great wine list and the best views!
We spent a superb day in the Douro – first up was a tasting at Terrus. Quinta de Fundo is a family wine estate dating back to the early eighteenth century. The day began with an amazing wine tasting of Terrus 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Res and 2009! Next was Quinta do Panascal, located on the steep right bank of the Távora River, one of the most highly reputed vineyards in the Douro Valley. Tasting white Port is always a great way to start the day, especially followed by the impressive Fonseca 2000! Then, it was on to Quinta Nova for lunch, with sensational views overlooking the Douro River itself, surrounded by the iconic hills of the valley. Lunch was another gastronomic feast with the white Grande Reserva Mirabilis the perfect sidekick to the octopus salad, and then the red Grande Reserva Referência with the veal; a really superb combination of floral aromas. The journey back down the Douro was rather quiet!
A tasting at Graham’s, today, with spectacular views of Porto’s city centre and a range of Ports to try, from their 2000 vintage to their 30-year-old tawny to their robust and superb Six Grapes label – but it was their 1972 tawny port which really stole the show – an outstanding amber wine with honeyed and citrus properties that is something of a rarity – with only 9 casks of the Graham’s 1972 single harvest left.
We then rounded off our trip with lunch on the beach in the Iberian sun with tiger prawns and Vinho Verde – a great way to end the trip – before heading off for home.
I believe Puglia is next up!
If that all sounds heavenly to you (how could it not?) then why not check out some of our Porto trips? Our team of experts are ready to create a memorable experience, with hotel options, unique tours, exceptional tastings and gourmet meals.
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