Ladies, if your aunties are not on the hen with you (and if not why not?), well they are never gonna forgive you. Because you are about to sample every aunty’s fave, those fantastic Port wines; ruby, tawny red, and whatever they come up with in-between. And in the true place of origin of this red (or white) nectar with a port cellar visit.
Just to be clear, you’d be daft to let your aunty have all the fun tippling this fine fortified wine, so beloved of wine-mopping Brits and all-comers over the centuries. We’ll take you to the “caves” or warehouses or cellars of one of the most famous winehouses in Porto. There you will sample four of the most delectable port wine varieties, and hear all about the fascinating wine trade, the grape harvest upriver, transport in those funky wine barges (called “rabelos“) and ageing in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Offley’s, Taylor’s, Sandeman, Croft, Graham’s, Dow… it’s testament to the success that Port wine drinking has had in the UK that all of these names are household names although most of the families originally behind them, many with British names, have sold their holdings to the large booze distribution companies.
If you really want the whole Porto experience, we recommend you book our fantastic Porto river cruise with a short port cellar visit afterwards. The Port sampling part is not as long as the full activity (described on this page) but you’ll still get a taste for the lovely stuff! It’ll make a fantastic afternoon experiencing Porto’s most authentic activities.
Make the hen (or stag) weekend complete by booking the 50 minute public Porto cruise where you’ll get the best possible view of Porto’s most iconic trademark sights: the fantastic bridges, beautiful tiled old buildings, and the wine cellars.
We think aunty knew best! Remember how she and she alone sipped Port at those family does ? our fave? The cool white Port wine, rich, not too sweet and pretty potent. A fantastic little afternoons tipple that will set you up for a great hen night in Porto.