Port Wine
Port Wine is part of Portugal´s history. The expansion of wine culture in the Douro Vale (Vale do Douro) has joins interests of lords and farmers, and the religious convents. Since the XV Century the Discoveries of Portugal made the production increase for long sea travels.
Only in the XVII Century did the Port Wine begin its commercial expansion, due to the growing british imports. The Methuen Treaty of 1703 between Portugal and Great Britain would create the development of the exporting sector of Port Wine.
Inicially, the Douro Wine was nothing like the actual Port Wine. It was dry and aromatic, and with a large amount of alcohol.
This is one of the reasons why they began to put brandy in the vinification process.
To prevent frauds the Marque de Pombal set limits to the vineyards of the Douro Vale in 1757.
The General Company of Agriculture of Vines of the High Douro (Companhia Geral de Agricultura das vinhas do Alto Douro) was founded in 1756 and watched carefully for frauds.
The Port Wine Institute (Instituto do Vinho do Porto) is a public organism created in 1933 and contrlos the quality and quantity of the various types of Port Wine, as well as its promotion.
In Oporto, the Institute is located in the historical center of the city, next to the Infante D. Henrique Square (Praça Indante D. Henrique).
In its interior there are modern laboratories for certification, the tasters chamber, the administrative fiscalization services.
The Port Wine Manor House
This Manor House is located half way between Praça Mouzinho de Albuquerque and the old part of the city, near the Crystal Palace (Palácio de Cristal).
It is a place where you can taste the different kinds of Port Wine and brands and see the beautiful sight to the River Douro.
Services:
-representation of the Instituto Vinho do Porto.
-Service of the Port Wine
-Organization of technical tasters of Port Wine.
-Organization of lunches and dinners.
-Provides information about Port Wine.
-Sells publications about Port Wine.