PORTO - Portugal - page 346

At any lodge, the procedure is about the same. Individual travelers simply show up
and ask for a tour. Pass any wait time by learning about the port (via posted information
or a video), or simply get started on the tasting. Sometimes the tours and tastings are free;
at other lodges, there's a modest entry fee (which may be refunded if you buy a more-
expensive bottle). Before you go (or while you're waiting for your tour), read the “Port-
Wine Crash Course” sidebar, “Brits on the Douro” ( here ) , and “Growing—and Stomp-
ing—Grapes in the Douro Valley” ( here ).
Allow 30 minutes per visit. Tours in English depart three or four times per hour. Oc-
casionally, if the lodge is busy, you'll be given a tour time and can come back. Tours
generally come with a walk through the warehouse, perhaps a tiny museum tour, a 5- to
10-minute video produced by that label giving you a quick peek at their process and the
scenic Douro River Valley, and, finally, two to four tastings. Serious students may opt for
more involved tours (generally €12-15, with smaller groups, 5 tastings, book in advance
if possible).
Sandeman, the most high-profile company, is sort of the Budweiser of port—a good
first stop for novices. They were the first port producer to create a logo for their product,