Ep 238 - How to Fall in Love with Porto & the Douro: A 4-Day Wine Escape

This week, join Janina for an unforgettable journey through Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, and deep into the Douro Valley - the world’s first demarcated  and regulated wine region. Over four days, she shares tips, tricks, where to stay, what to sip, and the must-do moments that make Portugal’s most iconic wine region so special. From wandering the tiled streets of Porto and exploring the buzzing Mercado do Bolhão, to taking the scenic train to Pinhão, this episode is your insider guide to soaking up the Douro at its very best. Shownotes 02:00 Douro – the first demarcated and regulated wine region in the worlds and it’s they history 04:00 Why visit Porto 5:00 Where to day in Porto 05:30 Mercado do Bolhão 06:00 Travelling from airport on the metro 06:30 Day 1 Itinerary – River walks and a visit to Grahams Port Lodge 08:30 The importance of Coopers to repair the oak casks and what happens to the wine in barrels and casks 9:00 The Style of Tawny port and the new 80 year old category 11:45 The different style of Tawny and ageing requirements 14:30 The ten first families of wine starting with The Symington Family 15:30 Difference in temperature and rainfall from Porto, the Cima Corgo (The heart of Douro) and the Douro Superior 17:00 Antinori from Tuscany 17:30 Baron Philippe de Rothchild - Chateau Mouton Rothchild 18:00 Familia Torres, based in Catalonia, Spain 18:30 E & J Gallo Winery, California 18:50 Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy 19:10 Famille Perrin, Rhône 19:30 Jackson Family Wines, California 20:00 Tenuta San Guido, Italy 20:15 Vega Sicilia, Spain   21:00 Eating at Matriarca in Porto 23:30] Day 2 Itineray - Take the train to Pinhão, Douro (Cima Corgo) from São Bento railway station (another MUST see in Porto) 24:30 The Solcalcos (Terraces) that gave Douro it’s UNESCO World Heritage status. 25:00 The more modern Patamares 25:30 Soil erosion in the Douro and now laser guided technology to help 27:00] Vinha ao alto for the less steep slopes 27:30 Eat and stay at The Vintage House, Pinhão 29:30 Stay at The Manor House, Celeirós and visit Quinta do Portal next door 31:00 Quinta da Roêda - Croft Port 33:00 Quinta do Bonfim 33:30 Day 3 Itinerary – Enjoy the Old Town of Porto 35:00 Day 4 Itinerary – Taylors Port Lodge 37:45 The Yeatman Hotel 39:30 The WOW museum 43:00 Tasting at The Wine School including Azores Wine Company Terrantez do Pico 43:30 Quanta Terra, Phenomena Rose 📩 Questions or feedback? Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next week – cheers to you! 🥂 THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot. RECOGNITION: – Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025) – Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025) – Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list