February 2014

Dear travel partner, Saudacoes (Greetings) from Visit Portugal team in India. We trust that 2014 has started on a good note for all our Indian travel partners. To further enhance your knowledge of Portugal Wines, our monthly newsletter has been designed on ‘Wine Tourism’ for our wine lovers. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample Portuguese wines, as varieties are unique with thrillingly different flavours. From north to south, east to west, mountain to maritime vineyards, hot and dry or cool and green, in every style, from fizz to port, from crisp dry whites to elegant reds, in so many diverse ways, Portuguese wines are unique. Come and discover the many museums dedicated to wine from the north to the south of Portugal and visit the wine producing villages in the Porto and Douro region. If you desire to know more about the production methods to the gastronomy of Portugal wines, kindly visit:http://www.viniportugal.pt/ For your kind information, we are happy to announce the dates of the TDP Roadshow 2014 in the cities of Chennai (17th February), Bangalore (18th February) and Mumbai (19th February). We hope to receive the same love and affection from our travel partners. Happy reading & selling! Sincerely, Visit Portugal Team India Representative Office

ABOUT ‘WINE TOURISM’ IN PORTUGAL Portugal is a country with a strong winegrowing tradition, so discovering its different wines and the regions in which they are produced can be a great excuse for exploring the landscapes, heritage, culture and the people who live here as well. The Douro and Alentejo regions are where you will find the largest number of places dedicated to wine tourism, but there are wine production units receiving visitors all over the country, including the Algarve. To know more about the vineyards, the wineries and taste the wines, why not stay overnight and explore the surrounding area. DUORO WINE REGION It is in the Alto Douro Wine Region, created in 1756, that Port wine that has always been intended for export is produced. No wonder that there is a  centuries  old  tradition  here  of welcoming visitors and sharing with them the best that the region has to offer. To start with, there’s the superb scenery of the Douro valley, where man built terraces to plant vines on the region’s rugged slopes. A landscape was produced that was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, populated by farms traditionally linked to wine. It’s possible to get here from Porto, where the Port Wine Lodges are, and a good way to discover the region is on board a cruise ship, visiting some of the most iconic sites linked to the production of fine wines from the Douro and Porto. ALENTEJO REGION The Alentejo is a region rich in wine tourism units, being the home of several leading Portuguese wine producers. Vineyards are to be found throughout the  vast plains, and are accompanied by olive groves and cork oak plantations. The wine producing quintas (farms) and herdades (estates) lay within this landscape of vast horizons, and they are also renowned for their hospitality and cuisine. At their centre isEvora, another Wrld Heritage city, whose beautiful, serene historical centre will leave you enchanted. Participate in the grape harvest and observe the different stages in the making of a wine. MADEIRA REGION Madeira's fortified wines are kept practically forever - they have been known to survive for more than two centuries. Pearl of the Atlantic, garden of delights, Madeira has  created  its own wine, owner of an intense perfume and a marvelous spontaneity, filled with flavored, thick and poetical nuances. The Madeira wine is, just like its island, a very well hidden pearl which absolutely needs to be discovered. KNOW MORE ABOUT WINE ROUTES Portugal’s wine routes provide some excellent trips to discover a pleasure that has been perfected over time. Vinho Verde Route Starting in the north, the Vinho Verde Wine Route runs from the Minho to the Douro Green, which gives its name to the wine. They are easy to drink wines, fruity, that go very well with appetisers or accompanying light meals such as fishes, sea foods, white meats, salads and other dishes. Examples include Amarante, Viana do Castelo, Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. Alvarinho Vinho Verde Route Within the Vinho Verde route is also the birthplace of the reputed Alvarinho, the most prized variety of vinho verde. For this reason, Alvarinho wine has its own route, centred around these towns. In the Solar do Alvarinho in Melgaco, or in the Paco do Alvarinho in Moncao, you can try the wine, and taste or buy other regional products. Port Wine Route The Port Wine Route follows hillsides of great scenic beauty with the River Douro meandering down below, between the mountains. These days, on this route, some excellent table wines, the Douro white, red and rose wines, are produced by the same vineyards that produce Port Wine. Bairrada Route Bairrada was one of the first regions in Portugal to produce great wines which include the sparkling wines. The Bairrada Wine Route is located in the centre of Portugal along the strip of coastline where Aveiro and Figueira da Foz beach are to be found, but also covers the area around Coimbra, a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Setubal Peninsula Wine Route This is an area of great beauty south of the River Tagus, bordered by the Serra da Arrabida Natural Park and the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, known for its friendly dolphins. The Setubal Muscatel, one of the most reputed wines in Portugal, comes from this region. Alentejo Wine Route The Alentejo Wine Route stretches along the plains of the region, and is marked by the heat, except in the far north near the S. Mamede Mountain. The entire region is worth visiting to enjoy a unique landscape, made of rolling fields, cork oaks and lakes which reflect the blue sky and the soul of a region where the power of the land wins you over. DID YOU KNOW? Lisbon is the Europe's Coolest City!! BY CNN If it means being loaded with atmosphere, charm, great food and nightlife, yet ignored by the bulk of travelers, then Lisbon deserves  consideration as Europe's coolest capital. Here are some of the answers, to WHY? Nightlife that can outlast Madrid's If you think Madrid stays out late, try a night out in Lisbon. Experimental cuisine Seafood remains a staple, but the trend is for modern, sophisticated and affordable. Irony Lisbonites are born ironic. Beaches and castles Lisbon is a place to inhale salty Atlantic air, sunbathe and hit the waves. Fabulous design Wherever you look in Lisbon, sharp contemporary design is a hallmark. Big art Lisbonites have a sharp eye for design. Fascinating streets Even Lisbon's walls demand attention, thanks to an obsession with azulejos FEW TIPS Make a toast with the recent but excellent sparkling Vinho Verde wines Visit the Lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, where Port Wine ages, on the Port Wine Route When in Porto, visit the Portuguese Wine Tasting Rooms (open Tuesday to Saturday) in the Palacio da Bolsa, which is also worth a visit Take a boat ride with the Sado dolphins, on the Setubal wine route On the same route, discover the Troia Peninsula, the longest stretch of beaches in Europe Discover Alqueva in the Alentejo, the largest artificial lake in Europe, where you can take a cruise or rent a houseboat and spend a few days of pure relaxation UPCOMING EVENTS ESSENCIA DO VINHO Thursday, 27th February – Sunday, 2nd March, 2014 Organized by EV-Essence of Wine in partnership with the Porto Commercial Association, the "Essence of Wine - Port" is now considered an important moment in the European calendar of related initiatives wine world, gathering more than 3,000 wines in the competition, 350 producers (domestic and foreign). LISBON HALF MARATHON Sunday, 16th March, 2014 The Lisbon Half Marathon will be taking place in March over a course that takes runners across the 25 de Abril bridge and offers them some beautiful panoramic views over the city. If you’re in Lisbon, come and join in this festival of sport, which last year reached a world record number of 37,000 participants. And take advantage of this great opportunity to cross over the 25 de Abril bridge on foot, appreciating the magnificent view that it offers over the Portuguese capital. Chocolate Festival Friday, 14th March – Sunday, 6th April, 2014 Anyone with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss the chance to take part in the International Chocolate Festival in Obidos. During several days the medieval town’s narrow streets will be transformed into genuine showcases of cakes and sweets that everyone can sample and purchase. A TASTE OF WINE Ever tasted Douro wine? You’ll recall instantly just how deliciously smooth it is. The grapes for this fruity number are grown on the slopes of the Douro River valley, running inland east of Porto – one of the most scenic viticultural areas in the world for a long weekend. It feels like Tuscany before the crowds: a tranquil agricultural land, with other sensory pleasures to savour too. Wine Styles White Wine: The cool, hilly, verdant north west of Portugal is the main source of a unique style of white wine with lowest alcohol and high, fresh acidity: Vinho Verde Rose Wine: Like white wines, roses tend to have crisper acidity, lower alcohol and lighter body when grown in cooler places, which means places with maritime influence or high altitude. Red Wine: The vineyards along Portugal’s windy Atlantic coast (the ones that make light, fresh, fruity whites) also make some of their reds in a similar light, tangy style, with alcohol typically nowadays around 11%. Sparkling Wine: As sparkling wines need high acidity, they are made, unsurprisingly, in the cooler areas of the country. Sparkling wines are an ideal choice for dressed salads, the acidity and slight sweetness matching the dressing as well as the sweetness of the salad and vegetable ingredients. Port Wine: The Port Wine is divided into three big families, White, Tawny and Ruby, being the first made from white grapes and the other two, from red grapes. Madeira Wine: All Madeira has a nutty, deliberately oxidized and slightly caramelized quality from wood-ageing under the influence of heat. Madeira ranges in sweetness from just off-dry to seriously sweet. Moscatel: Moscatel (Muscat) grapes are turned into sweet, fortified wine in the Douro and, most famously, the Peninsula de Setubal region. Most fortified Moscatel is sold young and fruity, but with age it develops nuttier, figgy flavours that go brilliantly with English Christmas Pudding and mince pies, or at the end of the meal with nuts and preserved fruits. In short, Portugal offers excellent opportunities for wine tourism, often associated with rural tourism and boutique hotels in prime locations. Besides the wines, you can enjoy other farm-produced products, such as fruits and jams, cheeses, olive oils, traditional sweets and the local cuisine itself. MUST VISIT Caves do Vinho do Porto The certification of Port Wine Cellars by AEVP gives to the visitor the credibility of the information, recognizing codes of a professional behaviour and social responsibility. Visit the cellars where wines age for many years until they achieve their perfect balance and learn how to distinguish the different aromas and flavours in a wine tasting. Learn more about the unique landscape of the demarcated region of Douro Valley and get to know the features which make this wine a special and unique one. Take part in an unforgettable experience which will teach you how to really enjoy a Port. Museu do Vinho This museum is specially designed for all those who are interested in winemaking and who would like to get to know more about the history of wine production on the island of Pico. The Wine Museum is one of the branches of the Pico Regional Museum, which also includes the Whalers' Museum in the town of Lajes and the Whaling Industry Museum in S�o Roque do Pico. Setubal The development of Setubal has always been linked to the seafaring activities facilitated by its location at the mouth of the River Sado and its known for the production of grapes, wine, oranges and fish. The wines produced in the surrounding area are still famous today, especially table wines and the moscatel called Setubal, which can be tasted in the cellars in nearby Azeitao, which also produces excellent cheeses and delicious tarts. ENHANCE YOUR PORTUGAL TOURS For this month, we have provided a few ideas to enhance your tour during discovering the ‘wine regions’ in Portugal: Cruises on the Douro River The beautiful stepped slopes of Port wine terraces start at the heights of Barqueiros and stretch to Pinhao, offering one of the most impressive hand-built and hard-worked rural landscapes. The cruise up the river provides a wonderful vantage point for this region's unique landscapes and the opportunity to encounter its traditions, culture and gastronomy. Don’t miss to discover the unique heritage the Douro has to show its visitors. Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, World Heritage (UNESCO)What about tasting a wine that grows on basaltic rock? The cultivation of vines on Pico began in the late 15th century, when the island was first settled. The vineyards that dot the landscape of the island, still produce a crisp, fruity, dry and mild wine that is an ideal companion for a plate of seafood or fish, as well as the vinho de cheiro (fragrant wine) that is so popular at the tables on feast days.

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