jd51

I'm going to Portugal in October to check
out some wine growing regions. Rent a car
in Lisbon, driving east to the Alentejo area
around Evora then due north until I run into
the Douro river,follow it to Porto and back
down to L. Any tips on wine tasting in Portugal,interesting things to see or places
to stay on that route? Suggestions on a modest hotel in Lisbon relitively near the airport- picking up the car there two days after arrival and a very early depature?
Finally what are the roads like along the east side of the interior?

xxxx

Have a good map. Major freeways and toll roads are easy. Smaller roads may take longer to travel than you expect.

We enjoyed the Alentejo region. We purchased wine there in some of the many area cooperatives, but we did not taste as we toured. Vila Vicosa was beautiful. Evora was not quite what we imagined it to be. Our favorite part was the city museum. However, that is just a personal opinion and not necessarily shared by the majority. We based ourselves in Estremoz. Make the effort to go to Marvao. It is simply stunning and our favorite of all the fortified border towns. If you enjoy history and castles, you will like the eastern route.

We stayed in several Pousadas and were always pleased with them.

SloJan

If I may make a suggestion? It would be a shame to miss Madeira on a wine tasting trip. The island is beautiful yes, but the wines that you can try are superb and unlike the Madeira you have been exposed to.

I strongly urge you to include a 3 day jaunt over.

Cheers,
Jan

HugoSousa

Hello,
i do have a flat to rent in Lisbon but I am writing you about wine. I have a passion for wines and could recommend you good places to visit. let me know if you prefer reds or whites. in any case, near lisbon (within a 20 miles range) you have the following places: House José Maria da fonseca, in Azeitão (south of Lisbon). you have the Adega Cooperativa de Colares, a portuguese sub region. If you can, please ask at the local tourism office, visit the small wine cellers of Carcavelos wine. it is a very old wine, quite expensive for Portuguese standards (easily 30 € bottle) but it is produced in very small quantities and would be interesting to know. apart from the typical port wines, i would recommend the Douro valley which has been producing some of the finest wines in the world lately. check out a bottle of "Pintas", a bottle of "Poeira". these are just two examples. Bairrada also produces some good wines. nearby Lisbon you have the "quinta de Pancas". they have monovarietal wines such as cabernet sauvignon and touriga Nacional which are a must. in Alentejo, check out the "Herdade do Esporão", very good wines there. Algarve does not produce outstanding wines so I would leave it out. In the very north you have what we call "the green wine"-can be red or white. there I would recommend you to taste a bottle of the Alvarinho wine called "Soalheiro". the region of Dão is a must, good wines there. I can give a list of fine producers if you want. for standard daily wines, you can on your way to the north stop in Ourém and visit their wine cellar. Oh, in Alentejo go to Borba. good wines there. i believe it is in October: there is an event in Lisbon, which usually lasts a weekend and where all producers concentrate to show their wines. there you can taste wines that aren't even on the market. try not to miss it. best
hugo

jd51

Hugo
Thanks for the response. We go wine tasting all the world and never know
what to expect. Just back from Margaret River in OZ and it was just like California, all the wineries were open for tasting (much better wine than from Barossa vally and S.E.) In Tuscanny it was winter and they were all closed. It took hours to even find Pouilly let alone Fuisse. We stopped at what was clearly a winery in Rioja and although they didn't normally taste there when they relized we were from Cal.(they didn't speak a word of english)they opened all sorts of bottles. Any way thats good news about Dao and Douro, we are definately going there. What about this Flat? We are arriveing Monday Oct 25
a.m. spending two nights to check out the city and coming back for one night monday Nov. 1 for a early departure tues. We only drink reds and can bring
a couple of great Zins

Scotia

I am also interested in a hotel close to Lisbon airport for an early morning departure.

OaktownTraveler

jd51:

You have been given some great suggestions. The wines of Borba are very good and the tasting memorable.

I chimed in because we went years ago, had a great time and about a week ago decided to open up a bottle of one of our Borba wines...AWESOME after all those years!

Enjoy! Will you stay in Evora? If so the Pousada is a dream... Our hotel in Lisbon was budget, clean and centrally located. It only took us a few minutes to get to the airport to pick up our "rescue" rental car. For the whole story click on my moniker and scroll down until you get to my 2.5 month report of Spain, Portugal and More. It is in 7 or 8 parts but well worth the read...I do think I had originally called Borba Bora and was taken to great task by a poster who has hopefully moved on.

Driving is real easy in Portugal.

Toninha

To know more about the portuguese wines and wine growing regions, you may see this sites, they have good informations:

http://www.vinhoverde.pt/
http://www.ivp.pt/pt/index.asp
http://www.rt-dao-lafoes.com/
http://www.vinhosdoalentejo.pt/

lobo_mau

Recommended internet sites:

http://www.aboutwines.com/show/xmlsi...pmgnefcpnjlobl

http://www.wineanorak.com/portugals_wineregions2.htm

Don't forget that while the whites are just ok, the reds are excellent

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personal favourites in Alentejo area:

- Evora (Unesco heritage - to see the whole town itself, Diana roman temple, Cathedral, Bones Chapel, etc)
- Monsaraz (walled town, this town is at the same time untouched since centuries and alive nevertheless) - to see: Jesus bearing the cross - author unknown - statue made of wood and the wall painting of the good and bad judge in the Inquisition Court)
- S. Pedro do Corval - this is a village completed devoted handicraft, mostly hand decorated plates. S. Pedro do Corval has more than 20 family run industries).
- Vila Vicosa - The palace of Dukes of Braganza. There are guided tours. I'm afraid the tours are in Portuguese only. There are descriptive books in English. From this House, Catherine of Braganza left for England to marry Charles II and become Queen of England. Side by side there is a former convent, converted into Pousada.
Since 17th century up to 1910, Queens of Portugal, didn't use crowns in official cerimonies, because the crown is in the head of Our Lady of Conception of Vila Vicosa.
- Redondo - Nothing special, but a lovely place
- Estremoz - To see: street market, the Castle (Pousada) and Adega do Isaias - Adega do Isaias is very unexpensive and low profile restaurant where the owner barbecue for you whatever you like.
- Marvao - magic and beauty without limits
- Alandroal - Restaurant "a Maria" - the highest point of any travel - check in advance for availability
- Arraiolos - Hand made tapistry - The biggest and those of complex patterns require 2 months of hardwork. They are quite expensive. but beautiful to see.
Arraiolos has a beautiful Pousada. The church associated with the Pousada is completely covered with azulejos (hand painted tiles) with stories of their favourite saints and historical events, like a giant cartoon.
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(final note) I just can't too take too serious somebody who write "please read my excellent report"...