Douro Valley

Douro Valley: the home of Touriga Nacional and Port

The Douro carved terraces into near-vertical slate hills, and the result is one of the most beautiful wine landscapes anywhere. It is the home of Port, the fortified sweet wine, but the same grapes now make serious dry reds that deliver Bordeaux-level depth for a fraction of the price. If you want the best-value heavyweight red going, this is the tell.

The wines

Port comes in several styles, from young and fruity Ruby to nutty, aged Tawny, the latter brilliant with dessert. The dry reds, built on Touriga Nacional and a field blend of native grapes, are dark, structured and still underpriced for the quality.

Where to go

Start in Porto, where the Port lodges line the river at Vila Nova de Gaia. Then head up the valley itself, by car, train or river cruise, to the quintas, the wine estates, that cling to the terraced slopes around Pinhão and Régua.

Eat

Hearty Portuguese cooking: roast kid, salt cod in a dozen forms, and rich stews that stand up to the reds. Finish with a Tawny Port and a wedge of hard cheese.

Getting there

Fly into Porto, spend a day on the Port lodges, then take the scenic train along the river to Pinhão or join a Douro river cruise deeper into the valley.