This seems like a simple question to many people and perhaps a complex one to others.

Let's find out why.

The Douro Demarcated Region is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It takes its name from the Douro River and its tributaries, which mark this 250,000-hectare region between Barqueiros and Barca d'Alva. This beautiful place is characterized by its picturesque landscapes and its typical and traditional historic towns, such as Peso da Régua and Pinhão.

Discover why the Douro Valley is ideal for wine and nature lovers.

With over a thousand vineyards planted, the natural beauty of the fantastic Douro landscape is the result of the hard manual work of the region's winegrowers.

This is where Port wine is produced. Considered the greatest of all fortified wines, this wine has played a fundamental role in the economic and tourist growth of the Douro region.

It all began in the second half of the 17th century, thanks to the Treaty of Windsor, which made it possible to strengthen trade between the English and Portuguese.

At that time, the center of the wine trade was not the city of Porto, but the coastal town of Viana do Castelo.

Here, Portuguese merchants began exporting the well-known Portuguese Red Wine. Portuguese Red Wine was a light, acidic wine produced in the Minho region. However, this wine did not satisfy the taste requirements of the English, who preferred stronger wines with a touch of sweetness.

It was at this time that Portuguese and English wine producers began to explore more of Portugal's territory.

When they arrived in the Douro region, they found a region that had the ideal climatic and geographical conditions to produce a very special wine that would bring a wine revolution to the region, Port Wine.

Although Port wine is produced in the Douro region, it is aged in several cellars in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia, near Porto, as this is where the best climatic conditions for ageing are found. Find out why the Port wine cellars are located in Gaia.

The Douro has one of the most admired landscapes due to the terraces that have been built into the hills and which present an unmistakable beauty.

This region is divided into three sub-regions called Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. They are all distinct due to climatic and socio-economic factors. There are several excursions and day trips in the Douro that have been created to show visitors the specificities of each sub-region and the unique natural beauty of the Douro. 

In general, the climate is quite dry, and the mountain clusters protect the vines from the winds.

Baixo Corgo

The Baixo Corgo sub-region, located next to the Serra do Mourão, is the westernmost region of the Douro and covers the area from Barqueiros to the Corgo river.

Baixo Corgo represents more than half of the demarcated region. This sub-region has a smaller territory but has a higher percentage of planted vineyards (51%). The climate is milder and wetter and therefore more fertile.

The Port produced in the Baixo Corgo is lighter and riper, which makes the wines from this sub-region younger. The fruity character is one of the hallmarks of this region, which is associated with grape varieties such as touriga nacional tinta, touriga franca, tinta barroca, tinta roriz and tinto cão. The white grape varieties are Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato and Viosinho.

The Ports associated with this area of the Douro are full-bodied, fruity red Ports, which include Ruby Ports because they are essentially younger wines. This Port is usually aged in oak vats and casks for around 2 / 3 years. They are characterized by a radiant ruby color and pleasant notes of red and wild berries. They are ideal with chocolate and cheese

Cima Corgo

The main producers and most of the best Ports come from the Cima Corgo. This region is supported by the Baixo Corgo and extends west as far as Cachão de Valeira, where the municipality of Alijó is located, in the district of Vila Real; the municipalities of São João de Pesqueira and Tabuaço, belonging to the district of Viseu; and Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the district of Guarda.

The slopes of this region are rugged, and the river valleys are deep with geological formations that are essentially schist, which makes the soil conditions harsher.

Thanks to a higher concentration of sugar in the grapes, this sub-region produces wines from a higher segment of Port Wine, such as Tawnies and Vintages.

Tawnies remain in oak casks for a long time and have great contact with the wood. They have a complex aroma of nuts, fine oak, and caramel, which intensifies with the length of time they remain in the cask.

Vintage Ports are the result of the best production from a single exceptional year. They have a rich color, a solid structure, and intensely fruity aromas. After vinification, these wines remain in the vat for 2 to 3 years and are then bottled and aged in the bottle.

Douro Superior

In the third sub-region, Douro Superior, the number of producers is lower than the number of hectares under vine and the climate is desert-like, with temperatures reaching 50º in summer.

The fruit is typically riper, with a lot of intensity, and can sometimes resemble Alentejo wines.

Although some good Port wines are produced in the Douro Superior, this is not the focal point of this sub-region. The Douro Superior is known for its contribution to table wines.

As you can see, the wines are different from one another, some more charming, others more elegant and surprisingly fresh, and there are also those you'll never forget, such as Port and Douro wines.

A visit to the Douro is a special moment that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Spring is a season marked by mild temperatures, an explosion of colors and the flowering of the vines, making it the ideal time to visit the wineries and taste the tasty Port wines.

In summer, it's the ideal time to enjoy a pleasant wine tasting on an outdoor terrace and take in the beautiful natural scenery.

The most important season in the Douro is undoubtedly the grape harvest, which takes place between September and October and is a major tourist attraction for the region. Tourists from all over the world come to the Douro to take part in the grape harvest experience, a wine festival marked by festivals and special events.

In winter, despite the lower temperatures, this is the ideal time to enjoy a pleasant wine tasting by the fireplace in a winery and take part in more intimate oenological activities.

For those interested in a unique wine experience, you can go on a wine tour of the Douro Valley with a professional guide, visit wineries, be introduced to the wines by sommeliers and, of course, taste them.  You can also make this exclusive visit in private.

There is also the possibility of a Premium Tour in the Douro Valley. This small group tour (maximum 8 people) will take you to the enchanting landscapes of the Douro, with a professional guide, a visit to wineries, wine tasting, lunch at a winery and a cruise on a rebelo boat.

If wine isn't your main interest, you can also take a day trip to the Douro Valley that follows other interests such as the history of the region and Amarante, fantastic viewpoints where you can see the region's fantastic biodiversity and typical food. And don't worry, some wine tastings and visits too. This tour can also be done privately and exclusively.

In recent years, this region has been increasingly visited not only by wine lovers, but also by those who want to learn about and explore it.

The magical, historic, and surprising Douro awaits your visit to show you the most beautiful wine region in the world.

Find out more about tours, activities, and cruises in the Douro region. And more ideas in our Living Magazine Blog.