PORTO - Portugal - page 350

Taylor, for more discriminating tastes, is a growing label that bought one competitor,
Croft (described next) in 2001. I toured the classy Taylor lodge—near the top of the hill,
with stunning views back on Porto—and enjoyed it. After watching an informative video,
I learned a little about the history of the company (which, like many port producers, began
in the sheep business) and about the unique microclimates of the Douro Valley. Then I
saw the various sizes of wooden vats in which different kinds of ports are aged (free,
Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, also Sat in July-Aug, always closed Sun, high up but worth the hike
at Rua do Choupelo 250, tel. [phone], www.taylor.pt ). Their restaurant, Barão de
Fladgate, offers fancy lunchtime views along with an opportunity to recharge for more
tastings. Many consider it among the best dining spots in Porto (daily 12:30-15:00 &
19:30-22:00, no dinner served Sun).
Croft offers a similar tour, but you also get to see vintage port being aged in bottles, as
well as a fun “library” of dusty old ports (the oldest is from 1834). While the views are not
as good as the lodges described earlier, you'll learn how to properly open and present an
old bottle of port (free, daily 10:00-18:00, Rua Barão de Forrester 412, tel. [phone],
www.croftport.com ).
Ferreira's lodge comes with classical music “to help age the wine” (interesting
tour, some fine museum artifacts, €4.50 includes two port tastings, daily 10:00-12:30 &
14:00-18:00, look for big sign at the end of the riverfront promenade at Avenida Ramos
Pinto 70, tel. [phone]).
Kopke is recognized as one of the best in the business because they were the first. Un-
fortunately, their lodge doesn't receive visitors, but they've opened a shop along the wa-
terfront to allow people to experience—one delightful sip at a time—what they've been
doing well since 1638. The staff offers concise explanations and some fine ports by the
glass (around €2, daily May-Oct 10:00-19:00, Nov-April 10:00-18:00, Avenida Diogo
Leite 312, tel. [phone], www.kopkeports.com ).
Away from the Center
▲ Serralves Foundation Contemporary Art Museum and Park (Fundação de Ser-
ralves) —Porto's contemporary art museum, surrounding park, and unique Art Deco man-
sion are a half-day excursion worth ▲▲▲ for art-lovers...and worthwhile for anyone
looking to relax in a lush green space.
The complex is managed by the Serralves Foundation. The Foundation was formed in
1989 with two goals: the advancement of contemporary art and the appreciation of land-
scape and environment as an artistic concept. These goals, symbolized by the giant red
hand shovel near the front gate, drive the layout of the complex: a gigantic contempor-
ary art facility on the edge of a carefully planned park. The whole thing is based around
the Art Deco mansion of a count who lived here in the 1930s. When the Foundation was