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Douro Valley and Port Wine
The Douro valley is in the Nature Reserve List for the New 7 Wonders. The Reserve List contains nominees from the second phase of the Official New7Wonders of Nature that qualified as one of the top 77 nominees from over 440 nominees participating, but that did not qualify as one of the 28 Official Finalist Candidates announced on 21 July 2009. You will find hints from why the Douro valley is such special place, to be considered the only Portuguese nominee in the Nature Reserve list, from the description written at New 7 Wonders.
“Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from its source near Duruelo de la Sierra in the province of Soria across northern-central Spain and Portugal to its outlet at Porto. The reaches of the Douro have a microclimate allowing for cultivation of olives, almonds, and especially grapes important for making the famous Port wine.”
Maybe this was a surprise to many, indeed, although Port wine is widely known internationally the Douro valley might not reach the same popularity. Well, almost everyone know that Port comes from Portugal, it name derives from Portuguese city Porto, but many do not known that Port is produced in the Douro valley. Near Porto the Port wine is matured in cellars just on the banks of the river Douro. About 70 kilometers upstream you will find also in the banks of the river Douro the vineyards from the demarcated Douro wine region from where the Port wine is produced. This region covers approximately 240 000 ha although the vineyards occupy only slightly more than one-tenth of this area; the remaining part is covered with a variety of vegetation including pine-forests, almond and olive trees.
Tags: Drinks