PORTUGAL // Quite possibly the fairest of all Europe's wine regions, the Unesco-listed Alto Douro unfurling east of Porto is divine. You'll come to taste bold reds grown in schist soils and to hone your knowledge of the best port wines in the world by tasting rubies and tawnies and end up lingering longer than planned for the scenery. Ah, the scenery. Here, incredibly steep, terraced vineyards comb the contours of hillsides that spill down to the mighty Douro River. The Douro is never lovelier than on a gold-kissed autumn day, when grapes hang heavy from the vines and the harvest is in full swing visitors are, incidentally, welcome to join in. Stay overnight at a quinta (wine estate) for the ultimate experience.

Where is Alto Douro wine region?

The Douro is a Portuguese wine region located on the Douro River in the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro region. It is sometimes called Alto Douro (Upper Douro) because it lies some distance upstream from Porto and is protected from coastal intrusion by mountain ranges.

What type of wine is Douro?

Where is Douro wine made?

Northern Portugal
The Douro Valley is located in the north of Portugal and is famous for its port wine. The region takes its name from the vital Douro River that runs from Spain across Portugal to Porto, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

How many wineries are in Douro Valley?

There are more than 80 wineries in the Douro Valley. These wine estates are called Quintas and are found along the Douro River between Regua and Pinhão. If you're taking a road trip to the Douro Valley and spending more than a day, here are some of our favorite wineries to add to your itinerary.

What are the three regions of the Douro Valley?

The vineyards rise from the top of the deep valleys to the river, creating a magnificent landscape that is known throughout the world. The Douro is divided into three sub-regions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.