A hilltop castle (São Jorge) was first constructed in 48 BC and it protected the nation's capital of Lisboa and Tagus River over the course of many centuries. A beautiful view from a recent restaurant visit nearby.
Having fun with our recent FIVE REGIONS TOUR of Portugal's winelands, while visiting CORTES de CIMA in the Alentejo. Our diverse group loved meeting Carrie Jorgensen (2nd from the left). Many friendships were forged, with memories to last for years!
A fun way to see the Douro on a warm afternoon during harvest time.
There is still quite a buzz when one comes across a bottle of this fabulously delicious mid-19th century, Taylor's SCION Port. Here there were two, in their original beautifully displayed burnished hardwood packaging.
There is a fairly large difference in the pure enjoyment of drinking Port for pleasure and that of having to evaluate Port for the sake of producing a tasting note. Semantics? I don't think so.
The hard work hasn't changed much, (in recent centuries) behind the scenes at harvest time. Without which, it would not be possible to bring you great bottles of Port!
If you were given this home and some money to fix it up, would you consider moving here and living here in the Douro, full time?
I swear that Luisa Borges is not flipping me the bird here!
Yes, yet again. Every time I see this bottle for sale or on a wine list in a restaurant, I keep buying it and drinking it. Yep, it is really THAT good. i need to buy a case of it when I get back to the USA!!! 2012 QUINTA DO VALLADO TOURIGA NACIONAL
A unique perspective of Quinta do Bomfim and its new visitor center, as seen from on the river. This is one "do not miss" Port property when visiting the Pinhao area of the Douro. I am sure you all realize this, but it is the quinta that is at the heart and soul of Dow's Vintage Ports and also makes some fine and well-priced Douro wines.
CARTUXAOne of my "Top 10" most memorable "non-fortified wine" visits I've ever had in Portugal.I will never forget some of the wines in this lineup!
What is your favorite wine/Port produced by this man's family?In case you don't already recognize this face, it is OSCAR QUEVEDO.
Quinta do Noval NacionalWhat is wrong with this picture?
Four excellent Ports by Quinta do Sagrado. It may be a name that you are not yet familiar with? The winemaker is Jose Maria Cálem, who for many years was winemaker as part of the Port shipper known as A.A. Cálem & Filho, S.A. that was founded in 1859 (until the company sold a decade ago). Jose is also making some top notch Douro wines, my favorite of which is under the label, "VT".
Miguel Braga's Quinta do Mourão -- and his S. Leonardo Ports; receives my vote for the producer with the finest range of 10-40+ Year Old Tawnies in the Douro region.
If It's Friday, This Must Be Amsterdam
At a wine shop in Amsterdam: Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny & LBV Ports.
Dinner with friends from Sogrape, (Ferreira, Sandeman, Offley)
Niepoort 1945 Vintage Port. Notice the brown glass, used in bottlings at the end of WW2 and exclusively for all companies when the 1945 vintage was released.
The one and only 1967 Quinta do Noval Nacional, one of my 3 favorite vintages of this extraordinary Vintage Port. It has nearly never failed to shock me how good it is as well as how young it shows.

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