What an interesting three days we had with the Douro wine producers. 48 in total, many represented by a parent and son/daughter who are working to assume the business. A number of female owners which is great to see. So many beautiful, elegant Douro wines. And gorgeous port wine - port that is so much spicier and richer and interesting than the selection we currently have back at home.  Also: very interesting to trade notes with the 25 other wine importers - from Ireland, New York City, Denmark, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, Azores, Czech Republic, Netherlands. WHAT WE LEARNED: LCBO isn't the most difficult wine monopoly in the world - apparently that award goes to Sweden. But...it seems that Ontario comes in a close second...

At the Douro Wine Export Business Fair in Vila Real Portugal. They use a speed-dating method for producers and agents. Quality of wine is staggering. Takes discipling to sip, spit and pour, but have to do it - otherwise by early afternoon agents would be non-functional. 28 producers: had to brush teeth for 5 mins at end of day...those inky, velvety Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional grapes! Hope to sign an estate winery (or two) by tomorrow. Not sure how we will make our final decision...

We visited the vineyards of Almeida Garrett winery today with João Santos. The vines are content here, in the valley of the Serra d'estrella (Mountains of the Stars). And it's not a new idea: the Romans started cultivating grapes in this area thousands of years ago. At this point in the spring, the wood of these 35-year old vines is still quite bare.  It begs the question: how could something so gnarly and ugly produce something as beautiful as Almeida Garrett wines?

Modern Monastery Living

We've been meeting with the Almeida Garrett Winery folks. The hotel they recommend to guests is the Pousada Convento Belmonte, a charming hotel in the Beira Region. Originally a 14th century monastery, they have done an amazing job of incorporating a new, very comfortable hotel into an existing historical treasure.  You don't have to wear a hair shirt here. Or take a vow of silence. You can picnic on the various decks overlooking the vale da Serra d'estrela (valley of the mountains of the stars) or hang out in the central cloister and sip on a house wine...from the nearby Almeida Garrett winery...of course.

The Great Portuguese Wine Adventure...PART 2

Pasieka Wine Imports is growing its portfolio. Last week, the Douro Wine Producers invited us on a Trade Mission. Kind of hard to resist sun, stunning scenery and, according to the Globe&Mail "... a region of rich, heart-warming reds that combine sunny New World-style fruitiness with Old World savoury character and tannic power." 

So, on April 12...off we go! After a visit to our current partners at Almeida Garrett Wines in the Beira Region, we head for Porto, Europe's oldest city. We then join up with our Trade Mission and travel to Vila Real, heart of the Douro Region. If all goes well, we will return with a wonderful collection of new wines for folks to try...and a Port or two 😋