Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The finest ports—for serious wine-lovers—are at
Vintage House Hotel
's Academia
do Vinho in Pinhão. The tastings are generally in the afternoon; call to check the schedule
and reserve a spot (€14.50-52 tastings, shop open daily 10:00-19:00, tel. 254-730-230,
www.cs-vintagehouse.com
, see
here
)
. The region's red wines are some of Portugal's
fruity finest. Since it's right in the center of Pinhão, this place is an easy choice for non-
drivers.
Brits on the Douro: The History of Port
Port is actually a British phenomenon. Because Britain isn't suitable for growing
grapes, its citizens traditionally imported wine from France. But during wars with
France (17th and 18th centuries), Britain boycotted French wine and looked else-
where. They considered Portugal—but since it was farther away, wine often didn't
survive the long sea journey to England.
The port-making process was supposedly invented accidentally by a pair of broth-
ers who fortified the wine with grape brandy to maintain its quality during the long trip
