We all have our safe havens. In Porto, I have two safe havens for wine. One of them is Vinoteca, in the Ribeira, a fantastic wine cellar/tapas bar, which I will undoubtedly address in more detail in following posts. The other is Garrafeira Tio Pepe, which over the years has become not only my regular [...]
This was our 4th consecutive year of exploring the various cultivars of Madeira. Having previously surveyed Terrantez, Verdelho and Boal grapes, the natural progression from dry to sweet, led us to the marvelous Malvasia grape. The perfect ambience, spacious banquet room, excellent food and service staff at NYC’s Del Posto restaurant, has continued to deliver [...]
“I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul” Invictus, by William Ernest Henley Invicta – the Unconquered. This is how Porto is known among the Portuguese. Carved in grayish granite, there it stands like a steep sloped stronghold guarding the precious river Douro. To understand the city and its [...]
Water everywhere. Around, over and within, it flows in an endless circle of rebirth. It is the very nature of the island of Madeira. It flows from the high mountains down to the sea, along streams and cascades, along the roads and valleys. But it also runs down in the “levadas”, water pathways built by [...]
Memory has its own mysteries. Some things are clearly remembered, even if not particularly relevant. Others are shrouded in fog, so dense we cannot reach them, no matter how hard we try. I do not know when my love for Port blossomed, and perhaps never will, unless the passing of years fills that gap with [...]
This my twentieth year since first visiting the Douro, has provided me pause for thought. While looking back on two decades of visits to Northern Portugal, I’ve taken time to consider all of the people that I have met in the Port and Douro wine trade. It has also allowed me to sit back and [...]
Fortified wines have faced a roller coaster ride in the U.S. on-premise market in the recent past and wine sales from this segment of dessert wine remains challenging today. The three greatest obstacles for sale of fortified wines are: Possibly the most difficult hurdle of all for fortified wine; it becomes an even tougher sell [...]
It was a brilliant, sunny day when we arrived at Quinta do Mourão, just down the river and around the bend from Peso da Régua in the heart of the Douro’s Baixo Corgo. The panorama above was taken facing Northwest-ish from the main house with the Aquapura Douro Hotel on the far left and westernmost [...]
Bual or Boal as the Portuguese spell it, is a white grape that immediately appeals to those who enjoy Madeira as it provides ethereal aromatics and perfect balance between medium-sweet torrefacted flavors and crisp acidity that allows it to age well for centuries. Article and photos by Roy Hersh © October 2014 [...]
The dirty dozen, a list of items to enhance the knowledge of those looking for something to read while consuming their Port wine. The "facts" included here are quick quips that may include a few light-hearted points about Port; but are not-to-be-taken-too-seriously. 1. Simply put, Port is fermented then fortified grape juice, which always tastes better when [...]
