• PORTS TO REMEMBER
Our journey begins in the vineyards, where freshly harvested fruit takes its first steps toward becoming wine, and concludes with a masterclass on the ideal glassware for appreciating fine Port. In between, we step into the extraordinarily rugged Douro Valley to talk with the viticulturists who tame its slopes, before diving headfirst into the rousing, day-and-night celebrations of St. John’s Day in Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
In this episode, we unpack the differences between robust, fruit-forward Rubies and the refined, complex notes of Vintage and Tawny Ports. Learn how blending and aging shape every single bottle. Plus, go behind the scenes of the harvest high above the Douro River, where we taste a two-week-old Port that already shows incredible vintage promise.
Launching a port house demands extraordinary skill, enduring patience, and a touch of good fortune. While this producer’s history is measured in years rather than centuries, their craft remains deeply bound by timeless traditions and strict regulations. Join us in the vibrant, historic city of Oporto as we explore a remarkable venue where every vintage port declared over the last 100 years can be ordered by the glass.
Port grapes thrive in the "vineyards of Hercules"—a dramatic landscape of searing summer heat, unyielding rock, and precipitous slopes fit for mountain goats. Yet from this rugged terrain emerge grapes that are remarkably delectable, soft, and sweet. In this episode, we discover the extraordinary effort required to harvest this unforgiving land and uncover the surprising beauty hidden within. Then, we journey to Vila Nova de Gaia to step inside a family’s private “library” of vintage ports dating back more than 200 years.
In the mid-19th century, when men ruled the world of Port wine, Dona Antónia Ferreira arrived in the remote, untamed wilderness of the Douro Valley—a young widow with a daughter. By the time of her death, she had transformed the region and become one of history's most successful Port producers. Today, more than a century later, the people of the Douro still speak of her as "Ferreirinha," keeping her legendary legacy alive as if they knew her personally.
Today, we are invited to lunch at the Factory House, a British bastion in downtown Oporto since the era of Wellington. For more than 200 years, members have gathered here for lunch every Wednesday. On our visit, we discover the timeless traditions that define the world of port wine—from the precise art of decanting a vintage and the perfect proportions of a decanter, to why the Bishop of Norwich is so often conjured up at the table.
Before modern roads and tankers took over, Port wine made its perilous journey from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia on traditional boats known as barcos rabelos. In this episode, we explore the craftsmanship behind one of the very last rabelos built entirely by hand. We also experience the high-energy annual boat race that honors the historic river trek of these ancient vessels
Adriano Ramos Pinto was a true visionary. In the early 20th century, he revolutionized wine marketing with striking, delightfully suggestive art posters that remain iconic today. Our journey takes you deep into the Douro Valley to experience another expression of this voluptuous aesthetic. Here, amidst a harsh and rugged landscape, lies an oasis of lush greenery, shimmering pools, dramatic vistas, and extraordinary port wines.
The art of blending port wine is a timeless Portuguese tradition, passed down through generations. In this episode, we meet one of the true masters of the craft. He shares his life's work inside a historic room that has been the genesis of legendary port wines since 1797. Journey deep into the dusty, historic cellars as he explores how the experts recommend experiencing port—and introduces a fresh, modern twist on a European favorite: white port.
After exploring the bustling streets of Porto, step back into the Middle Ages at a traditional cooperage, where craftsmen carve oak barrels entirely by hand, shaping them with fire and water. From there, journey up the Douro River to discover crystal-clear streams, ancient Roman roads, and the spiritual home of the port trade: Lamego. Here, the deep-rooted heritage of winemaking meets the future, as modern technology begins to leave its mark on this ancient craft.
