Porto Portugal Part 1
Travel Excursion
Portuguese model Andrea Monteiro watches the sun set
on the Douro River
from the banks of Gaia. Photo By Patrice Raplee
By Patrice
Raplee
Tourists and locals bask in the warmth on the sun-drenched banks of
Gaia, Portugal, seated at outdoor cafes sipping various Port wines
and gazing out across the sparkling Douro River at Porto. Music drifts
on the breeze and life flows on in a leisurely fashion in this charming
Portuguese town.
Wine boat once used to ship Port barrels downriver
to the Gaia wineries.
Photo By Patrice Raplee
Travel Excursion visits beautiful Northern
Portugal in a two-part exposé focusing
on Porto, the Port wineries of Gaia and surrounding communities. Portugal neighbors Spain and its shores lay on the Atlantic Ocean.
The people of Northern Portugal are among the friendliest in Europe
and their cuisine and exquisite Port wine beckon savvy travelers from
across the globe.
True Port wine is made from grapes grown in the demarcated region of
Douro. The Douro is the oldest wine-producing region in the world and
consists of special climatic conditions caused by extremely steeped
terraces, rivers and mountains with Xist, (pronounced shist) rock that
moderates the temperature of the grapes.
Wineries in Gaia blend and age the Port wine. The town
of Gaia, (pronounced Guy-ya) is the home of Portugal’s best Port
wineries. Ferreira and Offley are among the finest Port wineries in
Gaia and they produce
superior Port wines. They also offer excellent and informative tours
of their wineries with a tasting provided at the end of the Tour.
Ferreira Winery Gaia, Portugal – Tomas
Costa and colleagues
prepare to assist wine guests. Photo By Patrice Raplee
Tomas Costa, of Ferreira, guides guests through the majestic
winery, a family-run business since 1751. The stonewalls, wooden beamed
ceilings
and cobblestone floors lend a perfect backdrop for the huge wooden
vats and multitudes of smaller oak barrels stacked to the ceiling that
store the various Ports. Cool air pervades Ferreira winery and mixes
with the glorious scent of wine emanating from the oak barrels, as
guests stroll with their tour guide and learn about the history and
process of making Port wine. Port is sweet because the fermentation
process is stopped by the addition of a neutral brandy, thus retaining
much of the grapes’ natural sugars. This is also why Port is
referred to as “fortified wine.”
There are several categories of Port wines produced such as, Tawnys,
Rubies, Brancos, (white) Late Bottled Vintages and Vintages. Tawny
Port is generally aged in smaller oak barrels and has more contact
with the oak and air giving it a lighter color and flavor. Ruby Ports,
produced in large wooden vats, are aged for shorter periods and the
reduced contact with the oak and air leave more of the wine’s
original characteristics. Branco Port, made from white grapes, are
generally categorized into dry, semi-dry, extra dry and a few other
specialty types made by various wineries. The Branco Port is served
chilled between eight to ten Celsius.
If you visit Ferreira, or wish to peruse the internet for a wine merchant
that will ship Ferreira Port to you, try the Duque De Braganca Old
Tawny Port 20 years. This magnificent Port is smooth and complex and
rolls gently over your palate. It is delicious alone, or with mild
cheese.
Ferreira is a superb, distinguished and sophisticated winery with a
long history of producing some of the region’s highest quality
Port wines. The gracious and knowledgeable staff provides guests with
a fascinating tour and exemplary Port wine tasting session. They are
open Monday–Saturday, with appointments on Sunday. Additional
information on Ferreira listed at the conclusion of this article.
Port Wine barrel cellar Offley Winery Gaia, Portugal.
Photo By Patrice
Raplee
Offley is an exuberant Port winery founded in 1737 by Joseph James
Forrester. A scholar and an artist, Forrester was also a cartographer
and a copy of his Douro region map hangs in the winery today. This
innovative winery is located up the hill from the main avenue of Ramos
Pinto, but is a must! Vasco Silva, a charming and convivial guide,
welcomes guests on an in-depth tour of Offley’s cellars. Silva
explains the difference between Ports and Vintage Ports; Vintage Port
is made from one exceptional year of grapes and continues to mature
in the bottle and improve. Vintages are best to lie down and drink
them 12 years or more after the vintage. Once a Vintage Port wine is
opened, it must be consumed within one to two days, or the wine will
react with air and will loose its flavor and characteristics. Regular
Ports are aged before bottling and are ready for drinking upon opening.
These Ports tend to last about four months once opened.
Offley winery offers one of the most comprehensive tours in Gaia and
they do not rush you through the cellars. Guests obtain a better overall
understanding of Port wine making in a relaxed environment. Offley
also takes time for a delectable and unforgettable tasting session
at the end of their tour. The contemporary staff obviously loves the
Port wine business and they help guests to appreciate and gain enthusiasm
for Port wines. If you visit Offley Winery, you may be lucky enough
to taste a Vintage Port. Offley’s Boa Vista Vintage Port 1999
is an exceptional Port with a fragrant berry and fruity bouquet that
deserves a rich chocolate confection. Additional information on Offley
listed at the conclusion of this article.
Winery guide Vasco Silva and Colleague in
Offley Winery tasting cellar.
Photo By Patrice Raplee
There are over 20 Port wineries in Gaia, such as Sandeman, Graham’s,
Taylor’s, Ramos Pintos and Krohn, to name a few. Moreover, they
offer an excellent opportunity to sample and experience the history
and culture of Port wine and of Northern Portugal. The narrow cobblestone
streets that wind through the local shops and wineries offer the visitor
a glimpse of everyday life into the friendly and charming people of
this small community.
Meander through the shops and wineries as the locals do, in an unhurried
pace and sip a glass of Port, or nibble on a plate of cheese at one
of the many restaurants and cafes that line the sunny banks of the
Douro river.
Next month, join TE for an exploration of Porto and the many scrumptious
restaurants, nightlife, venues and activities that abound.
For additional information on Ferreira Port Winery email: Ferreira.visitors@aaferreira.pt
For additional information on Offley Port Winery email: Offley.visitors@offley.pt
For additional information on Portugal go to: http://www.visitportugal.com/Cultures/en-US/default.html.
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