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Base for wine tasting and last night in Lisbon

Base for wine tasting and last night in Lisbon

Old Jan 16th, 2017, 08:50 AM
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Base for wine tasting and last night in Lisbon

Before I get to my question(s), thank you in advance for all the helpful advice I've received over the years on this forum. There is no doubt that without the tips and recommendations, I would never have had so many great trips!

We will be in Portugal for 7 nights (after a cruise). I have booked a B&B in Lisbon based on recommendations on this forum for the first 3 nights. Then, as you can imagine by my 'nom de plume', I would like to do wine tasting in combination with sightseeing. I thought maybe Douro Valley for 3 nights? And then the last night again in Lisbon (hotel), since we fly back from there.

What would be a good wine tasting base for the area?

And, for our last day/night, I thought about a different area in Lisbon (Avenida da Liberdade) vs our B&B location in Chiada (plus they have a 3 night minimum). I thought maybe that would give us a chance to see a different part of the city before we leave.

I appreciate your recommendations.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 12:59 AM
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Sorry I can't answer the question, just top it up so somebody might see it and reply.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 01:50 AM
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Here's a guide to the wine making areas of Portugal:

http://www.wineanorak.com/portugals_wineregions.htm

Douro would probably offer good tasting opportunities at the larger wineries, and with just a few days I'd probably head there too. However, have a look at the areas and if you have the inclination, maybe look at the Alentejo. Here's a company that does wine tours, but handily their website gives a listing of vineyards in each area and will help you plan your days in whatever area you choose

https://www.winetourismportugal.com/...ies-vineyards/
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 06:46 AM
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Since you're in Bairro Alto, try Lisbon Winery, in Rua da Barroca, is quite nice.
About a hotel in Avenida da Liberdade, Heritage Liberdade in a nice choice, but maybe a little bit pricey, another good option is the Bessa Hotel, is new and fresh and offers good deals.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 07:08 AM
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For your final night, I highly recommend the Hotel Avenida Palace.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 09:13 AM
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Thank you, Rubicund. Do you have any favorite hotels or B&Bs in the area?
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 09:14 AM
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Thank you Peter_Star and Tabernash2 for the Lisbon hotel recs.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 09:20 AM
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If you have ANY interest in port do not miss this place in Lisbon:

http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?idioma=1&codPag=169&

I assume you already know about the port caves opposite Porto.

Note that the bulk of the production in the Douro valley is used to make port, although there has been an increase in still wine production as port sales have fallen off. There are certainly some good wineries in the Alentejo region, Evora would be a good base there.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 10:06 AM
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We had a fantastic stay at Quinta do Pego in the Douro valley. Its convenient to several local wineries (some with steep driveways), peaceful serene setting/gardens and the views from the hotel are stunning. Almost every room looks onto the river. Highly recommend the hotel if you plan on a visit to Douro.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 01:38 AM
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If it's within your budget, try the Pousada:

http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/po...FQbjGwodKtEM7w
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 05:21 AM
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I must admit I'm not a huge fan of port. I was thinking of the Douro more for the (non-port) reds and the accompanying scenery. I also enjoy minerally, crisp, white wines.

And I am more and more intrigued by the idea of Alentejo region.

For my fellow wine lovers out there--what say you? Douro or Alentejo?
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 05:27 AM
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"I'm not a huge fan of port"

Maybe you haven't been drinking the right ones? Try the twenty and thirty year tawnys at the Solar.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 05:41 AM
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You can try reds in Douro as well. I agree the 20/30/40 year Tawnys we tried in Douro were excellent. We visited both the Douro valley as well as the Alentejo region (although we were not focused on visiting wineries in Alentefo). At a high level although the scenery is pleasing in Alentejo (flat plains) I don't think its jaw dropping beautiful as the Douro valley. If scenery is important then I would visit Douro. Take a look at the links below for a comparison of the views.

http://blog.winetourismportugal.com/...ss-in-alentejo

http://blog.winetourismportugal.com/...-miss-in-douro
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 08:50 AM
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I'm also not a big fan of port, but haven't really tried the good stuff.

I for sure did not like the Vinho Verde they make in Portugal. It tasted 'green' and unfinished to my palate.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 10:42 AM
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Tabernash, is this context "verde" means immature, so if it tastes unfinished, it tastes they way it should.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 12:06 PM
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There is a huge difference between "port" not made in Portugal and the real thing. There is also a huge difference between ruby port and aged tawny, LBV and vintage ports. (Don't get me started on white "port".)
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 04:30 PM
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I know, lobo. They called it green wine. Maybe fine for cooking, but not sipping by itself, was my thought.

thursdaysd, I'd be interested in tasting really good port.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 04:37 PM
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Tabernash2 - you might start with Taylor's LBV. Or pretty much any Portuguese house's 20 or 30 year tawny (but make sure it IS from Portugal - unfortunately US law does not protect wine other than Champagne - I like Taylor's and Dow's and Graham's although the best I had in Lisbon was from a house I haven't seen in the US). Unfortunately vintage tends to be waaay pricey.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 05:10 PM
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Oh - and drink it after dinner or with a cheese course - ideally Stilton. Or with nuts. Some people like to drink it with dark chocolate, but I'm not convinced myself.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 10:54 PM
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Besides Douro and Alentejo, there's another well known (at least for us, portuguese) wine region: Dão. But you can try wine from each region no matters where you are, as you can buy them allover the country and all restaurantes have separate pages on their list for diferent regions.

I also don't like Port (and I have the right ones at home), but am a fan of Douro red wines (like "Duas Quintas", for instance). For whites, try Alvarinho, Colares and Bucelas (Alvarinho is from north, Colares and Bucelas are produced around Sintra). There are whites from many regions that I find very good, like "Redoma", the producer is "Niepoort", and it is produced in Douro.
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