Port wine is, more than any dish, the product that carries the name of Porto around the world. It is a fortified wine, produced from grapes grown in the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, upriver from the city.
The wine is made by adding grape spirit during fermentation, which stops the process and leaves the wine sweet and high in alcohol. It is then aged — in some styles for many years — in the cellars traditionally found in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the bank of the Douro opposite Porto. Port comes in several styles, from young, fruity rubies to long-aged tawnies and vintage ports.
The link between the wine and the city is old and deep: the wine took the name of the port from which it was shipped. For visitors, crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge to the port cellars of Gaia, for a tour and a tasting, is one of the essential experiences of a stay in Porto.
⭐ Must-try:
Port Wine
Highlights
- The fortified wine that carries the name of Porto
- Made from grapes of the terraced Douro Valley vineyards
- Aged in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia
- Styles from young ruby to long-aged tawny and vintage
- Cellar tours and tastings across the river in Gaia
Frequently asked questions
What is port wine?
It is a sweet fortified wine made from grapes of the Douro Valley, aged in cellars traditionally found in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Where can you taste port in Porto?
The historic port cellars are in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Dom Luís I Bridge, where tours and tastings are offered.
What styles of port are there?
Several, from young and fruity ruby ports to long-aged tawnies and vintage ports.