Évora, oh Évora…
Anything, everything, all of the time… I left a chunk of my heart in the Alentejo. Just search on Alentejo, or Portugal, on my wine blog. Sadly, the second trip (media) that came as an opportunity, I had just booked another flight, and missed the boat (plane). But I was already committed. Someday, I will […]
The History of Amphoras in Winemaking, As Seen in Alentejo, Portugal
As I’ve earlier written, To Understand Portuguese Wines, One Must First Understand the People. This continues to be my mantra, most especially after having spent 10 days in Portugal with Delfim Costa, when he was working with Enoforum Wines. In world history, Portugal was invaded by the Romans (like the rest of Europe). When they […]
Adega Coop de Redondo in the Alentejo Region of Portugal
If you get a chance, you’ll be doing yourself a tremendous favor, when you discover the Wines of Portugal. As my host, Enoforum Wines introduced me to winemaker Pedro Hipólito of Adega Coop de Redondo (established in 1956). Based in the town of Redondo, in Portugal’s Alentejo district, this is a municipality of the Évora […]
Carmim Winery in the Alentejo Region of Portugal
This is a beginning of a series of wineries in the Alentejo region in Portugal. I was based in the amazingly charming and very historic town of Évora. Enoforum Wines was my host, while I was introduced to the Wines of Portugal. At some point, I’d love to return to explore the spectacular beauty of […]
Cork, it’s what’s for dinner
When I buy a bottle of wine, a cork closure is as much a choice for me, as is the wine. Having read a story about cork in the Wall Street Journal called, “Plastic or real cork: Which is the better way to seal a wine bottle?” it got me thinking, and I became interested […]
Wine is only one element of culture ~ Alentejo’s Azulejos
Alentejo’s Azulejos ~ the art of Portuguese tiles… The world of wine leads to so, so much more. Travel opens up the myriad of channels to that passion of wine, always revealing more than you expected to appreciate.
A list of Portuguese wine grapes, I need your help!
It’s said that there are possibly over 500 Portuguese wine grape varieties. So, I set out to find them.
Opportunity only knocks once and I didn’t answer the door
Kicking myself all over the place… We all know that “Opportunity only knocks once,” and I didn’t answer the door… I’m still asking myself, “Are you kidding me?” BACK STORY: I had just booked a flight to North Carolina to visit my daughter and her lovely family. Then, I got the call. “We want you […]
Portugal’s wine world expresses their history through Manueline architecture
Just as California has European influences that express our history, so does Portugal’s wine world express its history through Manueline architecture. Everything about Portugal leads one back in time to whomever was the invader of that particular time… And many there were… each adding to the overall decadent character of their architecture. By the first […]
Explorers of Portugal Reveal the True Passion Behind Their Wines
While in Portugal and the Alentejo wine grape growing region, I was a guest of Enoforum Wines. At the time, I received a well-rounded education from my friend Delfim Costa. From the beginning of our friendship, Delfim has taught me that to understand Portuguese wines it’s most important to first understand the people of Portugal. […]
