Bairrada & Vista Alegre Gastronomy & Wine Meets Art Tour

This region has the tradition of viticulture since the X century, when it gained independence from the Moors. Located just south of Douro Region, the fortunes of Bairrada were on the upswing during the XVII century when Port Wine producers eager to supply the growing British market, would blend Bairrada wines with the product coming from the Douro! Today, this region is known for its deep colored tannic red wines that often have bell pepper and black currant flavors as well as its emergent ros production. Its also very well known for its Sparkling Wines and has the highest wine classification as a Denominao de Origem Controlada (DOC). During this tour we will learn more about the wines while traveling through the vineyards of Anadia, Curia and Mealhada and stopping for a visit to the prestigious place of Caves Aliana Underground Museum in Sangalhos. Here you will have the chance to learn about wine while seeing various collections of Archaeological and Ethnographic artifacts, Sculptures, Minerals, Fossils, Tins, Tiles and Ceramics! Some of the most impressive Ceramics items available in the museum are the ones of Bordalo Pinheiro and Manuel Cipriano Gomes. We are sure you will love this tour if you only have halfday available but we also know that this morning tour will certainly open the appetite for more so we advice to book the fullday tour! On the fullday option we will stop for lunch in a local restaurant and taste the local dishes such as Leito Assado Bairrada! Many people travel from all over the country to eat this delightful Suckling Pig, and the most common sight of this region during weekends is to see people enjoying some nice family moments around the table! These moments will surely make you think about the rich cultural heritage that Portugal has in porcelain manufacture and craft. And thats why weve decided to include the visit to the most significant place connected with this Portuguese legacy: Vista Alegre Museum and Porcelain Factory. This business, started in 1815 by Jos Ferreira Pinto Basto, became not just one of the best in Portugal but one of the best in the world with its reputation for quality! Nowadays you will certainly find Vista Alegre pieces in all Portuguese homes but if you look carefully you will also find it in many kitchens and living rooms across the globe! During this visit it will be possible to see the production process taking place in first hand while learning about the history of this unique brand.