Discovering the Best Places to Taste Port Wine in Lisbon
Top 5 Spots to Taste Port Wine in Lisbon
While Portugal’s second city, Porto, is the traditional home of port wine, there’s no need to travel north to taste some of the best the country has to offer. Whether you’re after a 40-year-old tawny, a late bottled vintage ruby, a white port and tonic, or all of the above, several venues in Lisbon cater to both visitors and locals alike looking for an authentic taste of the Douro Valley. Here are the five best spots in Lisbon to savor port.
Solar do Vinho do Porto
Address:
R. da Ferreirinha 114-14, 5050-261 Peso da Régua, Portugal
As a venue associated with the official Portuguese port wine agency, Solar do Vinho do Porto is located opposite one of Lisbon’s majestic viewpoints, inside the Ludovic Palace at the top of a steep walk or funicular ride in Bairro Alto. The establishment resembles an old-fashioned smoking room, providing plush, quiet surroundings that offer the perfect ambience for enjoying a variety of port wines.
Prices for tastings start at a couple of euros, although vintage varieties can be significantly pricier. While limited snack options are available, the focus remains on the port wines. It is advisable to plan for a nearby dinner after the tasting, as the service tends to be professional rather than overly warm.
Grapes & Bites
Address:
R. do Norte 85, 1200-284 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 924 457 494
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Located in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, Grapes & Bites operates as both a hostel and a vibrant wine bar and restaurant. Local tour companies often conduct their port tastings here, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a delicious tapas-style meal alongside a glass or two of fortified wine. Additionally, live music in the evenings creates a fun and lively atmosphere; however, be aware that the noise may disrupt your ability to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep if you choose to stay overnight.
Enoteca Chafariz do Vinho
Address:
Rua da Mãe d’Água à Praça da Alegria, 1250-000 Lisboa, Portugal
This venue, Enoteca Chafariz do Vinho, boasts one of the most intriguing locations on this list—set within part of the old aqueduct that once supplied running water to Lisbon. Open for dinner only, this small, intimate venue requires reservations, particularly on weekends. Diners are treated to a variety of tapas-style dishes served alongside an impressive selection of wines by the glass. The standout offerings for port enthusiasts include the “100-year” tasting featuring barrel-aged ports and the “radical degustation menu” that pairs various dishes with ports and Madeira wines.
Lisbon Winery
Address:
R. Rodrigues Sampaio 18 A, 1150-278 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 919 292 151
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For those seeking a more traditional tasting experience, Lisbon Winery in Bairro Alto offers tastings that can be understood in English, complemented by local charcuterie, cheeses, and jams. You can choose between two tasting options: ‘premium’ and ‘deluxe’, both featuring five ports yet differing in the quality of ports featured. The deluxe tasting includes high-quality selections, one of which is a vintage bottle opened using the traditional method involving heating the stem. Whether you’re a solo visitor or part of a duo, these tastings in a 16th-century cistern provide an unforgettable experience.
Winebar do Castelo
Address:
R. Bartolomeu de Gusmão 11, 1100-509 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 21 887 9093
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If you find yourself in the Alfama neighborhood, consider stopping by Winebar do Castelo, conveniently located at the base of the castle overlooking the downtown area. This dedicated wine bar delights patrons with hundreds of Portuguese varieties available and friendly staff eager to recommend the perfect port wines to suit your taste. If you’re feeling peckish, meat and cheese boards are on offer or enjoy the ports in their pure form. While you may enter as a novice, you’ll exit with a wealth of knowledge about port!
