Whether you are a wine enthusiast or want to try different wine flavors, the wine-tasting experience is the perfect thing you can do in Portugal. Not just anywhere in Portugal, especially Porto. Like European wines, Portuguese wines are also considered the best and the top wine in the world.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the second-best city in 2021 and the best European destination in 2017. The city is beautiful and attracts thousands of tourists – and wine lovers annually.

If you are in Porto and up for wine tasting, many choices exist. Discover some exotic places where you can have the best wine-tasting experience to add to your travel itinerary, where you can visit and have a fun wine-tasting experience.

Wineries and Wine Tasting in Porto, Portugal

Brief History: Why Wine Tasting in Porto?

Porto’s rich soil and vineyards are incredibly diverse, with different appellations and grape varieties that produce a bottle of amazing wine. The region became the hub of a long history of export and trade of wines down the transatlantic coast – known as port wine. One of Porto’s absolutely must-do-things is visiting or sipping Port wine.

Port wine is a Portuguese thing. And you guessed it, that’s how Porto got its name for beginning the reigning champions of Port wine. Port wine is mainly a sweet red wine, often served with dessert. Dating back to 200 BCE and many overseas exports, a small amount of brandy was added for the wine not to go bad (expire). Fermentation yields high levels of alcohol and residual sugar and creates a sweet taste.

All wines and wineries are different around the world and offer different experiences. The best way to discover local wines in any country is by visiting vineyards and wineries. The goal is to enjoy some delicious wine. At the same time, the wineries aim to engage with customers, tell the history of the wine and make their wine known to as many people as possible. Many wine lovers that travel love spending time wine-tasting.

Douro Valley Wineries

The Douro Valley is renowned worldwide for some excellent and some of the Portuguese’s best-known wines. The area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many wineries along Riverside outside Porto make Douro Valley wine, which is either red or white. This wine does not contain fortification. That isn’t dessert wine. The Douro Valley tastings are available for dessert wines but not port wines. This was a “standard” wine. The Douro Valley has three major regions: Baixo Corgo, Camel Corgo, and Douro Superior.

Douro Valley Wine vs. Port Wine

You might wonder if Port is distinctly different from Douro Valley wine. Ports are fortified and therefore have an increased level of alcohol compared to typical wine. Douro Valley produces mostly Port wines, so it is best to sample mainly or only Port wines during our Porto tours. A typical glass of wine is around 12% alcohol, while a glass of Port wine is likely around 18%.

A Douro wine trip includes lunch and river excursions. Complete Douro Valley Vineyards tour with lunches, wine tastings, and river excursions.

How Do I Get from Porto to Douro Valley?

You can get there easily if you’re in Porto and want to visit the Douro Valley. You can get there by car, train, boat, bus, or on a wine tour.

The best way is by train. The railway station is located near São Bento Railway Station and is called Entre Vinhos Station. It runs daily from 6 am to 10:30 pm and costs around €5 per person each way (around $5.50).

The trip takes around 40 minutes, with four trains per day. You can also take a bus, but it’s not as convenient or fast as the train. However, this may be an option if you want to save money or don’t have time for a train ride! Check out the train schedule here.

By Boat

Probably the most scenic of these routes, you may also see the nearby village green mountains and endless wine vineyards. Most river trips in the Douro Valley take six hours, leave on the Vila Nova de Gaia Quay in Porto, and are varied by price. Some include dinner or complimentary wine, whereas others provide simple means of travel.

What To Expect When Wine Tasting In Porto Portugal

During our visit to Portugal, a private driver and guide were available. We experienced some of the same things as the many tours recommended. I understand that the choice to hire your car isn’t always available to many travelers. Seeing the most beautiful Porto is a need for travelers of all budgets. Visiting a Porto wine cellar can be enjoyable for anyone visiting Porto, Portugal. I will discuss port wine and Douro Valley wine and how booking the tasting will help. Tell me the best Porto tasting that suits my budget.

Depending upon what tour of Porto wine tour you choose, you should usually know what your expectations are after the booking. The tours below cover safety and health practices (especially important during Covid-19). We only recommend trustworthy tours that are above and beyond for you to enjoy your trip and are fully disclosed of the items that may not be included.

The Best Season to Experience Wine Tastings and Tours in Porto & Douro

Portugal has abundant warm days all year round, with only a handful of outlier days in summer and winter. This allows you to experience the wines of Portugal whenever you want. We find that Porto and Douro Valley wine tourism is the most attractive season for a wine tour. During this period, the vineyard overflowed with plump wines, and the trees began to sprout along the Douro River. The harvest period usually falls in September-October, but the harvest season starts sooner or later in the case of hot summer days.

Porto Wine Pro Tip

Since Port wine is mostly red and typically served a bit cooler than the ambient temperature. Port wine is also well chilled though it tastes better warm. The Port wine is fortified and can still be drunk three weeks after opening.

What To Consider When Looking For The Best Port Tour In Porto

We have already discussed the differences between Port and Douro Valley wines in which the tasting is conducted. What are other important things to consider in selecting the most suitable tour for me? First, you have to decide on booking tours or organizing them yourself. You can book a tasting in one of Vila Nova’s cellars. It’s a great way to enjoy some port and maybe visit a cellar. However, you can visit many wine cellars by booking Porto tours. You’ll have access to your questions from an experienced local guide.

Wines of Portugal Tasting Room

Wines of Portugal was created for the promotion of Portuguese wines in general. They provide a tasting experience at a tasting room in Porte et Lisbon. Please see our guided tasting of local wine producers. The Porto tasting room offers guests five themed tasting options and a variety of tasting menus, and it is possible to have most wines by the glass.

Best Wineries and Wine Tasting Places in Porto

Caves Ferreira

The place that comes first on the list is Caves Ferreira. This is where you will transition back into the history of Portuguese traditions. Here you will learn about Port wine’s origin and one of Porto’s most iconic figures, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira.

If you are not interested in history and your only interest is wine, then let us tell you that you will find some of the best Porto wines here. The tour also includes a visit to the Old Bar. The Old Bar is an iconic wine-tasting room from the 19th century. Caves Ferreira offers some of the best-tasting wines in Porto; therefore, we are sure you will enjoy an amazing experience.

Port Wine Lodges

Another wine-tasting port in Porto is Port Wine Lodges. This is across the River Douro that starts from the old city center and ends in Porto Vila Nova de Gaia. This might sound like a long route, but you only need to cross the Dom Luis I bridge. Here 40 different Porto’s wine producers are present. Most of the wineries on Port Wine Lodges offer their guests delicious, expensive, and high-quality wine. Some famous Gaia includes Càlem, Graham’s, Churchill, and Taylor’s.

Drop by the most intriguing or exciting place and treat your taste buds with the most flavorful wine.

Caves Offley

Caves Offley has the reputation of being one of the best wineries in Porto. It is located near the waterfront of Vila Nova de Gaia. Caves Offley ensures that the tourists enjoy an amazing experience at this winery. Here you will get to know the exciting story of Baron of Forrester and his part in the success of wine in Porto.

After learning about the Baron of Forrester, you will get to explore the aesthetic hallways of Caves Offley. There you will be offered the most flavorsome wine, and the connoisseurs will be offered special and intimate visits where they can try some other luxurious wines.

Capela Income

One of the most underrated places in Porto is Capela Income. This cute little bar was originally a family chapel with a beautiful interior and an altar.

Capela Income’s owners have renovated this traditional bar and have made it aesthetically pleasing. The ambiance of this place is great, with light music playing in the background.

It is not your typical winery because the bar offers some snacks for the guests and even beer. But wine lovers have a big shelf that displays a variety of wines. Even the sommeliers at the bar are pretty knowledgeable about the wine. After every two weeks, there is also a small music festival with complementary hot cheese, herbs, and honey.

WOW Wine Experience

WOW is one of the newest editions on Gaia winery street. This is a museum that was opened in 2020. Once you enter the museum, you will be presented with the most delectable wines. There are 2 dry wines at the Museum, and 5 rose wines in the Pink Palace. They also hold some knowledgeable wine masterclasses—people curious about what happens behind the scenes when making wine attend these masterclasses. You will also find some cute little bars in the front of the museum where you can have wine and snacks. Book a tour for only $20!

Caves Burmester

The Burmester Museum and the Wine Cellar are at a stunning location overlooking the Douro River and the beautiful Luis I Bridge. The primary purpose of building Caves Burmester is to make the Burmester brand’s history famous in Porto’s public.

Other than this, the winery of Caves Burmester is also very elegantly made. The workers in this Cave will guide the guests to the Cellar Museum, where they will learn the history and taste the delicious Port Wine. The ending of this entire tour is something that people await. The guests are offered the best and the most exceptional wines paired with salivation-worthy chocolates. Hence, it is one of the best places in Porto if you want to enjoy a next-level winery experience.

Lima’s Wine Bar

You’ll have six Portuguese wines to taste in a quiet and private environment. There’s not just an alcohol-related event here. It’s fun drinking wine and learning as well. Rafael de Lima, the business owner, is also an experienced winemaking professional and attended WSET training. It certainly takes a different approach which gives you the confidence to choose the right glass and bottle wherever you are.

Gota a Gota Wine House

Gota a Gota is a wine store and a bar outside the town center. On Gota’s shelf, there are many varieties of wines from all over Portugal. Order wine in a glass with cheese and charcuterie plates and learn about Porto wines from Portuguese-bred owners Mariana and Dinis. They offer a tasting for larger crowds; however, contact them for an advance appointment.

Conclusion

This article features a small history of Port wine and the best wineries in Porto, Portugal. The wine of Porto is one to put on your bucket list for wine lovers. If you are into wine tasting and your next trip is in Portuguese, stop at one of the above locations and enjoy a world-class winery experience.

For your next trip to Porto, book a wine-tasting tour here – as low as $10!

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