Porto in the Douro Valley

 28-Apr-2022

Porto in the Douro Valley

So Port wine originates in the Douro valley of Portugal.  The vineyards are located on the steep slopes of the valley walls. There is not a lot of rain which equals sweet wine.  In addition, the steps to produce wine and the quantity produced are strictly regulated.

The vineyards are spread along the valley and owned by various families. These vineyards have been in the families for four or five generations.  When the  economy was bad, many folks left for Brazil and sold their holdings to the people who stayed. As a result, the vineyards became consolidated into larger holdings.  The largest is a family named Symington.  They produce most of the Port wine sold in the USA under many names.  It all comes from the same tanks.

Symington's tanks

Theresa's tanks

We spent the day with a lady named Therese whose family owns one of the smaller vineyards.  She took us on a walk through her place to show us around. Therese knows just about every vine and olive tree in the place.  After the walk we had a nice lunch  with lots of her product. 

Theresa gives us the lowdown.

Lunch at with Theresa and her sister.

There is much more  to  the story of the Douro valley  wines but I forgot most of it for some reason.

Hotel was great but not much of a town.