Wine may be one of my favorite things to drink, but seafood is definitely one of my favorite things to eat – especially shellfish. And as you may already know, coastal Portugal has no shortage of phenomenal seafood! Within a 50km radius outside of the Lisbon cityscape, you have direct access to several smaller coastal …
Sesimbra: A Seafood Lover’s Paradise in Portugal Read More »
Last month, when my parents were in town visiting, I took them on one of my favorite local winery tours, the Manor House Museum Tour of José Maria da Fonseca. Easy to find on their website, this legendary Portuguese winery offers daily tours of the founder’s original estate and winery located in the town of …
Jose Maria da Fonseca’s 2004 Domini and the Portuguese Black Sausage, Porco Preto Read More »
“Red? You sure that’s what you mean?” said the salesclerk looking at me dubiously. “Yes, I do”, I responded. “Sim, Vinho Verde TINTO“, I repeated to each and every retailer in various wine shops while hunting for this infamous red counterpart of the popular Portuguese white wine, Vinho Verde. What surprised me during my quest, …
Throughout my time living in this deliciously diverse food and wine country, I’ve come to realize that the Portuguese have developed themselves as artisans in specific food and wine crafts. Port may be the most famous, but what is surprising to most people who have never been here is Portugal’s long tradition in pastry making, …
The Art and Culture of Portugal’s Pastry Industry: A History Influenced by Wine! Read More »
Two weeks ago, my boyfriend and I decided to take a weekend holiday up North to Guimarães, though each of us seemed to have different intentions for going. I wanted to visit all the wineries of Minho and enjoy a series of tastings, while he just wanted to relax and take it easy. In the …
Leitão Assado da Bairrada with Tinto Espumante: A Truly Sensory Experience Read More »
Editor’s note: When Ryan and I visited Obidos in 2003, we had found a quaint little bed and breakfast run by a woman named Melana. Weary and hungry from traveling with our large backpacks filled with wine, we sat down in her living room decorated more like a cozy ski lodge than a traditional Portuguese …
For All You Port Lovers, A Delicious Alternative: Ginja with Chocolate Read More »
It’s summertime in Portugal, and as the tourists flood the downtown, the Portuguese retreat to their local restaurants and bars to enjoy the gastronomic tradition of the season: snails! Yes, that’s right, Caracois are to the Portuguese as hot dogs and hamburgers are to the Americans this season, and they’re both cheap eats. From what …
Suck it Up and do What the Portuguese do, Eat Caracois! Read More »
You may not be aware of this, but the Portuguese are excellent bakers and pastry makers, each famed for their traditional local pastries. If you haven’t nibbled your way through Lisbon, savoring their varied and highly addictive pastry culture, let us to tempt you! Pasteis are pastries in Portuguese, and the Pasteis de Belem is one of …
Editor’s Note: Andrea Smith is one of our newest additions to the Catavino crew. A 25 year old budding wine enthusiast, chef and linguist, Andrea is no stranger to seeking out great food and wine combinations. Having grown up in Northern Virginia, 10 minutes outside of the capital Washington, DC and in a highly diverse …
