As I continue slowly catching up on finishing the *many* review drafts of places I visited in our…read morewhirlwind tour of Portugal in January, in this case one of a whole bunch of port-focused wineries within convenient walking distance of each other, that obviously being why I chose to stay at an airbnb on this side of the bridge, so I could visit as many of them as possible.
Funny enough, other than the big names that export a whole bunch to the US, this was the one smaller Port producer with a tasting room here, that I'd had wines from - I'm part of a wine membership program that has had a couple of their ports (under their label but the same wine-makers listed prominently), but I was looking forward to trying several more of them that have *not* been available in the US.
First off, they had a great space - admittedly I was there in the off-season, but there was plenty of space, and protected from the elements, but not stuffy (metaphorically or literally). Actually funny enough, they also had great live music the day I was there from 3-5, but I got there when they were on a break and was facing away from them, they were so polished I thought it was the radio until they finished their next set and people started clapping. (The original point being that there was also plenty of space for live music without me noticing they were there originally. But also, random potential for great live music!)
It didn't feel *corporate*, it still felt properly craft and a lot more personal than the big name tasting rooms, but it did feel *polished* - they had a substantial tasting menu, all a la carte (the best way to do it). I originally spent 20 euro on a flight of 4 (the 4 that sounded the most interesting, including a 2003 Colheita they specifically recommended I try), though at the end of it, slightly tipsy, I ended up trying one more of the more affordable (the Lagrima; actually I also ended up trying another half-pour of their "Crusted" Port for free cause they wanted me to try it.) Anyway, Port-wise, I tried: the 2003 Colheita they specifically said I should try (great, obviously), the "crusted" (great), a great well-balanced dry white port, a great "special reserve" tawny, a big, fun, fruity, juicy rose (was only 11 euros for a bottle! - I bought a bottle), and the Lagrima (anyway, yeah, all their ports were great.)
I also learned, which I *hadn't* previously known, that they also make gin! They sell it in bottles and by the glass - when I said I'd love to try it, but didn't need a whole *pour*, I was able to try a splash for free, and can confirm, as a gin lover, their classic dry gin is very good gin. Hits all the right notes, gin-wise. Just too bad I already had an entire full suitcase full of bottles of wine (mostly port, including a couple of theirs!). In addition, which I thought was very cool, but at that point had drunk quite enough wine for the day - they also make table (non-fortified) wines made from 3 varietals you don't really ever see, for very reasonable prices as well.
