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| Pinhao, Douro Valley |
What is life without a bit of food and adventure huh? I've always loved traveling, meeting new people, cultures and of course, FOOD! For me, food seems to be the great equalizer that connects the most unlikely pairs, sparks conversations and connects cultures across the oceans. It was the language that connected me and my father when we couldn't express our feelings. Food was that emotional language leveraged when nothing else would. He shared his love by teaching me how to cook, create and perhaps find myself. As the years go by, I've learned to appreciate the bond, the dance, the love relationship with food and culture, longing to understand how it connects the most unlikely pairs, calms the masses and sparks the passion within.
So off we go to Portugal, Pinhao in the Douro Valley. Home of some of the best port wineries in the world and breathtaking landscape. It's a bit of a sleepy town, winding around the mountains, tucked deep in the valley where one doesn't dare enter after dark. After all, there are far and few street lights and guardrails are non-existent. But, oh so worth taking your time to venture out of the norm to experience this slice of heaven and experience it we did!
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| Streets of Pinhao |
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| Vintage House Hotel |
Today, Pat and I have journeyed to Pinhao deep in the Douro Valley to learn about the people, their culture and their love for all things culinary or should I say 'port'. Let's start with port as it runs like water in this province. Although Portugal has entered the food revolution with a bang, collecting Michelin Star chefs at a rapid pace, hear port is king. And why not, from what I can see, in my short eight hours in this country, every where we go, someone is handing us a glass. Let's not be rude :).
The landscape is breathtaking, the people are curiously friendly and the port, oh the port! At this point, I think we've had more port than food, but why not when you're in a country that is the BEST port producer in the world.
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| CHEERS! |
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| Douro Valley boat cruise |
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| Terraced vineyard |
So, our first stop is Quinta De La Rosa, a short stop from our hotel with an exceptional view and even better ports. It was our first time port tasting and we were excited to discover the subtle differences between ruby red port and tawny ports. I find myself leaning more to aged tawny ports with it's rich and mellow notes with a smooth smoky finish.
Portugal, you're Douro Valley is a hidden gem. Bring on more tours, we're ready and willing!
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| Quinta Do Bomfim Tawny Ports |
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| Port Barrels - Quinta Do Bomfim Winery |
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