GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

The first shipments of wine under the name Port were recorded in 1678. In 1756 the Port wine vineyards of the Douro Valley in northern Portugal, became the first vineyard area in the world to be legally demarcated. Here, indigenous varieties of grapes, including the Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cão and Tinta Amarela are grown on the steep rocky hillsides bordering the Douro River. Many of the oldest vineyards, now classified as World Heritage, are planted on narrow terraces supported by hundreds of hand built dry stone walls.

Although the wine is produced inland in the vineyards of the upper Douro Valley, it takes its name from the coastal city of Oporto from which it is traditionally exported. Until well into the 20th century, the wine was carried down the river Douro from the vineyards in special boats known as barcos rabelos. The wine was then unloaded into the ‘lodges’ of the Port houses which line the narrow lanes of Vila Nova de Gaia opposite the old city centre of Oporto, to be aged, blended, bottled and finally shipped.

Join us as we talk with Robert Bower, Sales and Export Manager for the Fladgate Parternership and representing Croft, Taylor’s, and Fonseca. You’ll hear a little about Port’s history, its different styles, its food pairings, and most importantly, how to drink it!

For more info:

Fladgate Parternership: www.fladgatepartnership.com/

Sponsor: Best Wines Online: www.bestwinesonline.com

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Show #326
(1:01:13 min 56.0 MB)

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