Videos

A delicious sweet wine forever linked with Portugal is port. The formula was discovered by two Englishmen in the 17th century at a monastery in Lamego. The Abbot there used brandy and his wine making to stop fermentation, creating the taste the world soon came to love. In the passing centuries, the Douro River Valley blossomed into a major wine region. The tasty grapes thriving in this unique microclimate. Though the views are breathtaking, less than 20% of the land is arable, yet there are 155 grape varieties in this extreme environment. Temperatures here can reach 40 degrees Celsius with no rain, four weeks on end. But the soft rock just below the surface is easily split, allowing the roots to reach down sometimes 60 feet in their quest for water. Fighting these elements for centuries, the vineyards have grown so strong they rarely need pesticides. Back in 1756, the Douro Valley was established as a protected wine producing region, the world's first, and today it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. At smaller states called quintas, you can still experience a tiny bit of what the harvest must have been like, and you can sample Portuguese wines, which have developed a reputation for superb taste and value. Some of the most notable are the ports. Ruby, the youngest Port, Tawny, which spends six or more years in Oak and Moscatel, a sweet wine from the muscat grape. Another favorite is Vinho Verde from the Minho region, a young wine with a slight effervescence. And of course, there's Mateus rose known worldwide for its iconic bottle. The palace on the front is still here and is a vivid reminder of just how much wealth the grapes of this region created. Another symbol of the historic wine boom is the typical rabelo boat with its clinker-built, design. They're a hybrid between the gondolas of Venice and the long ships of Northern Europe, which is a very strong indicator that the Vikings were here long ago. The versatile Rabelo boat played an a essential role for centuries since navigating the once free flowing river required immense skill. Porto, once the final destination for all the Douro Valley wines still holds remnants of its bustling, past. Restored rabelo boats bob quietly in the harbor. The immense portside caves are still busy aging young port wines, and the docks are now perfect for exploration. Join Viking and let us share with you the best of Portugal's wine country.