Wine from Port

A wine region in Portugal, Port can be traced back to the third and fourth centuries. Porto is the area’s largest region and includes the Douro region.

Getting its name during the latter part of the 17th century from the seaside town of Porto, Port is  located on the Douro River. Most of the port that was produced during this time was either brought to the nearby markets, or exported throughout Europe.

Port is produced in the Douro valley defined, established, and protected. The appellation was the oldest protected appellation in the world. Chianti and Tokaj have older demarcation but there is no regulation associated. The micro climate make the area perfect for growing olives, almonds and especially grapes which are essential for port production.  The regions located around Sao Joao da Pesqueira and Pinhao are considered among the experts to be the center of port production in the region.  The center of Porto is known for the quaint quintas. This literally translates to farms clinging to vertical slopes dropping down to the river.

Only a few of the hundred varieties of grapes grown in the region are actually used to produce Port.