We climbed Gaia’s steep hill to visit one of the only wineries open on Sunday, Taylor’s. Founded in the 17th century, Taylor’s was one of the first wineries in Portugal. It is the last of the independent British houses, still family-owned and operated. Taylor’s was one of the first producers to acquire their own vineyards […]
Tag Archives | port
Portugal and Port Wine
You can’t visit Portugal and not sample the most famous product, port wine. Surprisingly, British merchants are credited with popularizing port wine. In the 17th century, when Britain and France went to war, Britain’s Bordeaux supply dried up. Handily, the Portuguese winemakers stepped in. Portugal’s wild and mountainous Upper Duoro was ideal for growing grapes, […]
Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia is the hilly area across the river from Porto. It’s actually a separate town, and is best known as the neighborhood that houses over 60 port wineries and warehouses. If you look at the hillside, you will see many familiar names. To get there, just walk across the Ponte de Dom […]
Barcas Rabelos, Porto
I really liked these flat-bottomed wooden boats, barcas rabelos, that used to carry port wine casks from their upriver estates down the once-turbulent Rio Douro.
Rotterdam
Of all the Dutch cities I’ve seen thus far, I think Rotterdam is the least spectacular. That’s not to say it’s not culturally vibrant, chock full of interesting shops and restaurants and a fun weekend getaway – it is all those things and more. I was just expecting it to be as vibrant and comfortable […]
