Gaia Port Tasting Walk, Porto

Dive into the world of port on this fun and informative stroll around the historic wine cellars on Porto's southern bank. You'll meet your guide at the city's iconic iron bridge, then stroll across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia, the birthplace of the sweet, fortified dessert wine. Stop by several historic cellars to taste the difference between tawny, red, and white ports, and learn about the river's vital role in the wine's production. Your walk wraps up with an in-depth tasting workshop, where you can refine your palate as your guide shares how to identify aroma and flavor profiles.

Grab your comfortable walking shoes and start your port wine adventure by meeting your expert guide and fellow wine enthusiasts at the entrance to the Ponte de Dom Luís I. From there, you'll take a short walk over the iconic iron bridge, crossing the Douro River's southern bank to reach Vila Nova de Gaia (or just "Gaia"), home to many of the world's most famous port wine cellars. Overall, you'll stroll around a mile (1.6 km) and taste seven different ports during this 3.5-hour experience.

Your first stop is at a historic cellar, where you'll taste two different port varieties as you learn about the sweet dessert wine's origins, the importance of the Douro River in its production, and the intricate process that imparts its distinctive flavor. Continue through the atmospheric riverside alleys of Gaia to reach the cellar of a prestigious small producer for another tasting, then wrap things up with an in-depth tasting workshop at your final stop.

Learn about the differences between tawny, ruby, and white varieties and discover how aging impacts the taste profile. As you sip four different varieties, your guide will share tips on tasting techniques, aroma identification, and proper wine etiquette.