Portugal's Douro Valley, the origin of Port wine; a World Heritage Site of terraced vineyards.
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Vineyard
Terraced vineyards in Portugal's Douro Valley
Douro Valley vineyards and roads
Douro River with boat
Douro Valley vineyard terraces
The Douro River Valley is Portugal's 'Port wine route', with ancient terraced vineyards on both sides of the river, which was once the transport route for vintages brought to the town of Porto. The vines follow the contours of the land in sinuous rows, and the marronier trees in places along the sides of the road form a canopy of light and shadow. The skies alternately darken as rain passes through, then brighten with brilliant sunshine, often at half-hour intervals. The yearly climate is extreme, said to be ideal for the vines which need winter dormancy and summer heat to produce the sweetest grapes. The best Ports (1997 and 2003 in recent years) are incomparably smooth and deep, with hints of the wood of the casks they were aged in. The addition of brandy about half-way through fermentation kills the yeasts of the skins which otherwise would turn sugar into alcohol: that's what gives Port wine its sweetness. Along the Douro River are many small quintas producing their own Port wines, blending 100-year-old Ports in limited amounts with younger vintages under strictly controlled conditions. The photos here are from some of these quintas.
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