Why Is the Douro River Cruise Prized by Wine Lovers?

Wine lovers, like myself, love to chat with me about river that inspire them. The Douro River is one that absolutely does. It actually helped inspire wine regions to become officially and legally recognized.

WHAT MAKES THE DOURO VALLEY SO HISTORIC?

The Douro became the world’s first officially demarcated wine region in 1756. Portuguese authorities marked its boundaries to protect Port wine’s quality and reputation in the international world. UNESCO recognized the Alto Douro Wine Region as a World Heritage site in 2001. A luxury not every wine region can hold, but the Douro Wine Region absolutely deserves this honor.

WHY ARE THE VINEYARDS TERRACED INTO THE HILLSIDES?

The Douro River’s hillsides are too steep for flat vineyard rows. Generations of workers carved narrow stone terraces directly into the slopes. Those terraces still require handpicking at harvest time each year. You can enjoy these vineyards as you cruise along on the river cruise of your dreams.

WHAT DO GUESTS EXPERIENCE ON A DOURO CRUISE?

Ships stop at family-run quintas for private tastings along the river. Guests walk through working vineyards with the winemakers themselves. Porto bookends most itineraries, known for its Port wine cellars. Extensions often bring Spain into the mix, allowing voyagers to experience two countries in one journey. Both Spain and Portugal are famous for not just their wines, but their music, dance, food and culture.

WHY ADD THE DOURO TO YOUR LIST OF WINE DESTINATIONS?

You get to taste Port, table wine, and local cuisine in the same week. You sleep on the water instead of driving between wineries. That combination is hard to replicate on a typical land-based wine tour. Unpacking once, and letting the river take you to your destination unlocks magic few get to experience. You will get to taste it as well as wine cruises are quite common along the River Douro.

The Answer to the Question:

The answer is that the Douro Valley is prized because it became the world’s first officially demarcated wine region in 1756, and its terraced vineyards are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We hope you enjoy the benefits of travel on your next trip and the many more to come!

PLAN YOUR DOURO RIVER CRUISE WITH CARTE ATLAS

Curious what a travel advisor adds to a wine-focused trip like this? Read “Why Should You Use a Travel Advisor?“. Explore more of the Douro River with Voyages by AmaWaterways. Ready to sail Portugal’s oldest wine region? Schedule your complimentary consultation with us, and let us say cheers to you and your group as you sail the Douro.