Would you like to know why Port Wine is world-famous? You will find here a taste of its history and some information about the several varieties of Port Wine, as well as the places where you can taste it or buy it.

THE WINE

Port Wine is a sweet fortified wine, exclusively produced in the Douro designated region, named after the city of Porto, where it is aged and bottled. Its unmistakable bouquet, body and flavour are due to the high quality of the grapes, as well as to the region's soil and climatic conditions.

"Vinho do Porto" is basically a geographic name of origin.

There are, in fact, several types of Port Wine - some are aged in wooden casks and others in bottles. The former are usually the result of a skilful blending of wines from different harvests, in order to keep the wine's vitality and to provide it with homogeneous characteristics, As a rule the label has no indication of date or vintage. The latter are produced from only one harvest.
The following are the main types found in the market:

WHITE
RED and RUBY
TAWNY

The Port Wine Cellars

The Port Wine Cellars are the perfect spot to get in touch with this national drink and its history. They offer the public the opportunity of tasting this precious nectar, knowing its course over the ages, the region where it is produced and the way it is made.

Associação das Empresas de Vinho do Porto

	Rua Barão Forrester, 412 4400 Vila Nova de Gaia
	223 745 520
	223 705 400
	www.confrariavinhodoporto.com www.aevp.pt www.cavesvinhodoporto.com

Port and Douro Wines Institute

The Port and Douro Wines Institute was established in 1933 to be the entity responsible for the certification and control of the “Port” Appellation of Origin. It controls the quality and the quantity of the wines likely to achieve this Appellation of Origin by regulating its production process, as well as its previous submission to a strict quality control performed by its technical department.
After the approval the wine is allowed to carry the “Porto” appellation, the guarantee seal and the Appellation of Origin label, all issued by the Porto and Douro Wines Institute.
The Institute also aims at defending the appellation of origin and supporting the development of the trade within the consuming markets through the generic worldwide promotion of Port Wine.

	Rua Ferreira Borges - 4050-253 Porto
	222 071 600
	222 071 699
	www.ivp.pt