Wine and Food Tourism in Portugal

Unlike other drinks, to pair food and wine is an art. An outstanding wine will always provide you an outstanding experience, but with the right food pairing, it will leave a mark on your palate (and memories).

Portugal is the country with most wine consumers per capita and such fact is a knowledge-proof of its own. No other country has the same amount of world-class chefs and conciérges who excel in the art of wine and food pairing.

With hundreds of award-winning wines, seductive luxury experiences and bespoke landscapes, one doesn’t need any more arguments to visit Portugal. Still, food is yet another unmissable excuse to pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable and luxurious journey.

Porto and Douro Valley

Home of the Port wine (named after the city), Porto and the Douro Valley region has a vast local food tradition. Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and mountainous riverside, the region is transcending when it comes to its cuisine.

A variety of seafood (including the traditional codfish), local meat and vegetables can be found in the finest restaurants in the city. Its plethora of markets ensures all the ingredients are fresh and highly selected. 

Amongst the luxury restaurants, you cannot go wrong when enjoying a meal on a terrace with a view over the river. If you are an architecture aficionado, a true gem is waiting for you at Casa de Chá da Boa-Nova, a restaurant designed by Álvaro Siza, a Pritzker-Winner and with a Michelin-star recipient chef preparing your dinner. 

Lisbon

With a cuisine as contemporary as the city itself, Lisbon is one of the top destinations for food lovers all over the planet. Historically known for its seductive pastry, Lisbon is nowadays an obligatory route for those into fusion cuisine and delicacies seekers.

Perhaps the best choice for wine lovers is the renowned By The Wine restaurant, right in the heart of the city center. The owner of the restaurant is the notorious wine producer José Maria da Fonseca, resulting in extreme attention to detail when it comes to wine and food pairing. For every kind of dish, there is an expert’s choice of “by the glass” wine to pair with.

Alentejo 

Alentejo is a different species of a region. The landscape is distinct, the lifestyle is tranquil and wineries are pure passion-driven. As you might expect, the food is in a class of its own as well.

Alentejo’s wines might be recognized as some of the best in the world, but anyone living in the region will proudly tell you about their meat and olive oil production as well. Alentejo’s plains are filled with cork, olive trees, and herds of animals. 

This beautiful meld generates a unique gastronomic scenery. Faithful to its roots, Alentejo’s chefs are highly skilled in combining the traditional ingredients with avant-garde techniques and presentation.

Food for Thought

Food and wine are the two main products the Portuguese are really proud of showing to the world. No matter how good the landscape is, or how iconic are the monuments and activities, hardly anything matches Portugal’s capacity to provide a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience.