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The Wines of the Douro

The Wines of the Douro
Curiosities | 15 November, 2019

The Alto Douro Vinhateiro comprises more than 26 thousand hectares, which produce memorable wines. Learn more about Port Wine.

AMONG THE DOURO WINES, PORT HAS THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HISTORY.

The Alto Douro Vinhateiro region comprises more than 26,000 hectares that produce memorable Douro wines. It was classified as a World Heritage Site on December 14, 2001.

Located in the northeast of Portugal, it is surrounded by mountains that contribute to its excellent climate characteristics.

These characteristics result in wines of great quality, with half of the volume of wine produced being destined for the production of the famous Port Wine.

In the wine region, there are several types of Port wine that make this territory one of the most recognized worldwide.

 

TYPES OF PORT WINE

Port wine is a fortified wine, in which the fermentation process is interrupted before it is complete.

Wine brandy is added, giving the wine a natural sweetness, as the sugar in the grapes has not completely turned into alcohol.

The three main types of Port are White Port, Ruby Port and Tawny Port.

 

WHITE PORT WINE

It is made exclusively from white grapes and the aging process is carried out in large oak barrels.

There are dry, semi-dry and sweet whites.

White Port wines are young wines with a fruity flavor.

 

PORT WINE RUBY

This type of wine is also aged in large wooden barrels.

It has little contact with wood and oxygen, preserving its initial characteristics, due to low oxidation.

They are Douro wines with a fruity flavor, usually red fruits (wild fruits, for example), and have characteristics of young wines.

Within this, there are two categories with different attributes: LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) and Vintage.

The first spends between 4 to 6 years in casks before being bottled. The second is bottled two to three years after the harvest.

 

TAWNY PORT WINE

It is a red wine that ages in 550 liter casks.

They have greater contact with wood and oxygen, causing it to oxidize and age more quickly.

The aroma resembles the flavors of dried fruits, wood, coffee, chocolate, honey, etc.

They are wines from batches of several years, highlighting those that have an indication of age (Tawny 10 years, 20 years, 30 years and 40 years).

Fernando Lebres
Fernando Lebres / About the author

Born in the Douro, namely in the village of Galafura where the most beautiful viewpoint in the Douro is located, Monte de São Leonardo de Galafura. I am lucky to have been born in one of the most beautiful regions in the world and I want to share the best of what comes from it. I want to make known to the world its landscape, its customs, the gastronomy and the fantastic wines that go from strength to strength in the mouths of the world.

Venture with me in the best experiences that will awaken all your senses!

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We are a travel agency and tour operator specializing in tourism in the Douro, with an emphasis on Cruises on the Douro River and Tours of the Douro. Our team, made up of young and dynamic professionals, has extensive experience in organizing trips. We combine this experience with the careful selection of our partners, guaranteeing the quality of the various services we offer.

We are honored to present one of Portugal's most acclaimed regions: the Douro. This region offers ideal conditions for a high-quality tourist experience.

Through our Cruises and Tours, our clients have the unique opportunity to discover the riches of the Douro Region, from the breathtaking landscapes to the vineyards and terraces that characterize them. In addition, we highlight exclusive activities such as wine tastings in historic Wine Estates, picturesque boat trips on the Douro River and other experiences that highlight local authenticity and culture.

We value local partnerships to further enrich our clients' experiences, providing them with access to traditional restaurants that deepen their immersion in the region's cultural richness.


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