Journeys with wine

Portugal is rather fashionable at the moment and our gastronomy, as well as the country’s wines, are gaining quite a reputation worldwide. My first Guia do Enoturismo de Portugal (Wine Tourism Guide to Portugal), recently published, tells you the best places to visit.

Are you a wine lover and about to land in Portugal? Whether you have plenty or little time, it’s always good to know the best wineries to visit. And, for me, the best are not just the most well-known or biggest producers or just those that boast accommodation. The wine tourism projects featured in this guide are those that best welcome visitors; those that await you with open arms, tell you their story and let you taste their wines with the same passion and enthusiasm they demonstrate when making them. And that can be a major producer with an estate with a hotel, spa, restaurant, tasting room and shop, or another that has nothing more than a small winery and tasting room but which treats its visitors like royalty. Because those that like wine, also enjoy good conversation and a good story.

This guide is the result of thousands of kilometres travelled, visiting winery throughout the country, including the latest additions. The book is divided by region, indicating the best places to visit, as well as other options, in terms of accommodation and food. Suggestions include luxury, boutique and rural hotels, some eco-friendly and others with bungalows. There’s a little of everything. In terms of restaurants, recommendations include auteur cuisine, as well as traditional Portuguese and regional gastronomy. All have something in common, which is that they give wine pride of place. In other words, they have a good cellar and excellent wine service.

The book talks about the history of the estates, as well as the people and families that live on them, in addition to the different grape varieties, vinification processes and other details, such as the different activities available (vineyard and winery tours, grape harvests, wine tastings and a wide range of possibilities).

The first edition of this Guia do Enoturismo de Portugal is bilingual (Portuguese and English), but will be translated into other languages. It is on sale at bookshops, airports and souvenir shops. It will soon be available in countries like the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Brazil. A book designed for those who love wine, travel, discovering places and the aromas and flavours of this wonderful winemaking country that is Portugal.

by Maria João de Almeida