CENTER - Central Nacional do Turismo no Espaço Rural

Portugal has always been a wine producing country. From north to south, east and west, different soils, grapes and climatic conditions allow for the production of a vast range of quality wines. These wines symbolise the dedication and patient work of many generations that have continued a tradition of quality and reputation recognized throughout the world.
The harvest season varies according to the vintage and region. It usually takes place between the end of August and the middle of October when the valleys and mountains are ablaze in tones of gold and red.

It”s not our intention to create a wine guide. Instead we aim to offer tips and advice on how to participate in this colourful and joyful event of grape harvesting, to organise wine tasting any time of the year, learn the terminology and experience new and unforgettable sensations.
Broaden your knowledge about the qualities of a wine, recognise its aroma, the temperature at which it should be served, differences between old and young, strong or delicate, the ageing processes and the importance of aromatic substances. And last, but not least, the food they go best with.
The circuit we propose was chosen on the basis of some houses and estates throughout the country and should be used as a reference for your trip.
The Vinhos Verdes (green wines, so-called because of their youth) are fresh and low in alcohol. They originate from a demarcated zione between Douro and Minho and are differentiated by the variety of grape and the region. They are more fruity than most other wines, sometimes slightly sparkling and an excellent complement to the gastronomy of the region. Red vinho verde is difficult to conserve well when bottled so perhaps best drunk from the barrel accompanied by the regional sausage, corn bread or traditional cod dishes, pork, or the famous sarrabulho (sausage,meat, rice and vegetable ) or lampreia (freshwater eel) recipes.
In this region, the winemaking cellars of Ponte de Lima and Ponte da Barca use grapes of Loureiro and Vinhão varieties harvested by a large number of houses belonging to the Solares de Portugal network.
The Solares, are outstanding examples where agriculture and especially viniculture has always been the dominant activity.
The famous Alvarinho green wine comes from the region of Monção and the Solares are the right place to get to know it.
Continuing our wine route, we descend into the deep valleys of river Douro where the famous wines of the same name have been produced since the 14th century.
The quality of these wines depends on the location and altitude of the vineyards. The Port wine producing area coincides with a region rich in shale, the so-called terra quente (hot land) that it is more favourable. There are many estates and producers which have developed the techniques of making quality wines now renowned as the best Portuguese wines.
The high Douro Vinhateiro region is classified by UNESCO as a place of world importance in terms of heritage. It is a place of incomparable beauty.
The zone of Lamego belongs to the route of Cister and the entire surrounding region is well worth taking the time to explore. Red and white wines from the vineyards closer to the river are usually lighter than south of the Douro, Armamar, Lamêgo and Tarouca and the area bordering Dão, St. João da Pesqueira and Tabuaço. Dão has excellent wines produced from some of the hillsides of the valley which enjoy a micro-climatic conditions and are protected from maritime winds by the mountain ranges of the Caramulo and Buçaco. The best wines of this demarcated region are generally from the right bank of the river Dão or the ones between Dão and the Mondego.
The gastronomy of Beira Interior is famous. Oven-baked trout, lamb maranhos, buchos, grilled lamb, black pudding, farinheiras and the best artisan cheese in the world queijo da serra, demand the best wines.
The Bairrada region, the name of which derives from the Portuguese word for clay has ideal soils to produce wines. Here, between the Vouga and Mondego some of the best national wines are produced. The chanfana (goat stew with red wine) is a must at this region.
A warm welcome, at Solares, awaits all those who seek a relaxing place as a base to get to know a region with numerous tourist resources.
Further south we arrive at Alentejo. Here the wine production areas are spread throughout a large area. Portalegre, Castelo de Vide, Sousel, and closer to the river Guadiana, Moura, Vidigueira and Viana de Alentejo, are distinguished regions producing excellent wines. Évora, Redondo, Borba, Reguengos and Serpa have a huge variety of quality wines.
The rich Alentejo gastronomy is comparable to its wines and the hardest thing will be choosing from such variety. The cheeses Serpa and Nisa, the sausages, the fish soups, beldroegas or gaspacho are only some of the possible starters. Lamb and pork dominate. A delicious dish is Migas, made with cod, tomatoes and clams or only with garlic and parsley.
In Açores visit “Vinhas do Pico” in Pico Island, these vineyards, formed from black basalt, are classified as a world heritage by UNESCO. On the island of São Miguel, you must try the “Cozido das Furnas” cooked under the ground because the volcanic activity of the island.

It is important to remember that knowing a country through its wines and gastronomy is only one way to meet its people and share their daily life and experiences. What makes it very special is when families who have lived in these places for many generations and preserve traditions, pass on their knowledge and wisdom and receive you like one of their own.

Information and Reservations trough the central booking – CENTER - info@center.pt Tel: +351 258 931 750