Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Alto Douro Wine Region - Portugal

These cards, also sent by Paulo, are a result of a photo contest. All the pictures are great but my favorite is the picture of the 4th card. 

 Douro Valley - Portugal | © Concurso de Fotografia do Douro 2010 | Rui Ademar Pires
The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer. Looking at these cards, we can only agree.

 Douro Valley - Portugal | © Concurso de Fotografia do Douro 2010 | Sónia Arrepia
Created in 1756 by the government of the Marquis of Pombal, as the first demarcated and regulated region in the world, the Alto Douro Wine Region, is an outstanding example of a traditional wine-producing region, famous not only for its Port wine, but also for its more recent high quality table wines. 

 Douro Valley - Portugal | © Concurso de Fotografia do Douro 2010 | Rui Ademar Pires
All these wines come from the terraces that surround the river Douro and its tributaries, where walls made of schist support the vineyards full of white or red grapes.

 Douro Valley - Portugal | © Concurso de Fotografia do Douro 2010 | Manuel Prates
Not only is the landscape altered by the production of wine, but also the pace of life of the Douro. If the winter is marked by the calm and quietness, which seems to be reflected in the bare vines, the transition from the summer to the autumn brings the bustle of the harvest with a fall and rise of baskets and pruning shears, on the slopes populated by workers.

Douro Valley - Portugal | © Concurso de Fotografia do Douro 2010 | Luís Silva Ramos
Recognising the importance of the landscape and the traditional wine production activities, in 2001, UNESCO classified 24 600 hectares of the Alto Douro Wine Region, divided into 13 counties, as a World Heritage. - in: http://www.dourovalley.eu/EN/poi?id=6915&r=9

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