The Douro Valley, about an hour and a half drive northeast out of Porto, is where the vineyards are that create Port Wine along with additional kinds of wines. Today’s tour to this region was nothing short of magical. The inspiring views just getting there were intense - unfortunately, being in the middle sit in the back of a van didn’t allow me to take any decent photos. However, once we got to the Valley - oh my! We went on a boat ride up the Douro River where the sun played hide and seek for a while, then we had lunch with wine - several kinds and a sip of the brandy they use to fortify the wine that creates port. After lunch we had a tour of the vineyards, winery and a tasting of White, Rose, Mid-range Ruby Red, and deep Amber Red Port wines. Lunch included Grilled Pork, Cod Fritters, Pasta with Beans, Potatoes, Salad, Olives, Olive Oil, Bread, and for Dessert a slice of olive oil cake. Below, I’ll just leave the pictures, I think they speak for themselves. To note - obviously in February the vines are resting, but when it is harvest time the grapes are all harvested by hand (they are not allowed by government regulations to be harvested using machinery) and that scene in I Love Lucy when she is stomping the grapes…yup…they still do it that way - for 2 hours! There simply is no better way to do it. The soft crushing of the grapes by our feet does not break the bitterness of the seeds into the juice nor the astringent tannins from the grape skins. And speaking of feet - as of this evening - I have WALKED a total of 180 miles since arriving here on January 18, as per my step counter app. For me, with my horrible feet and bum knee, I’m shocked!
The group of four of us on the tour; a father (Thierry) and son (Odin) from Toulouse, France, a young woman (Tina) from New York City and I got along famously and we found out that we’re also taking a class on how to make Pastel de Nata together tomorrow morning!
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