As we emerge from 2020—a year in which we needed wine for an entirely different set of terrifying reasons—and the bits of 2021 that the previous year swallowed whole, I thought I’d share some of my favorite bottles that made Field Blends a book for wine lovers everywhere. Think of these questions as good talk amongst friends at your first post-pandemic springtime gathering.
Read moreExploring Portugal's Manz Wines with our friends at Slate Wine Bar in Washington, DC
This Portuguese Wine Dinner featured wines from Manz Winery near the Atlantic coast outside of Lisbon, and food pairings from Danny Lledó, Slate’s Chef and Sommelier. Manz is a small, boutique winery in Portugal's Lisboa wine region, about six miles from the ocean. To quote their representative, Raul Silva, Manz believes “good wine is marked by wanting to open a second bottle.” They aim for minerality and freshness in all their wines, especially in their Jampal grape varietal.
Read moreWhat to do, and not do, when visiting Porto, Portugal's great wine city on the Douro River
It's all about the river here. The city rises from its banks: festively colored buildings in seemingly ancient repose, crowned by the twelfth-century cathedral atop the hill, a stately contrast to the carnival of wine and revelry down at the waterfront. In times past the rabelos, cargo vessels native to this river alone, hauled Port wine to this the only port from it could be shipped. This is Porto, Portugal's second city and the source of the the fortified wine that has made the country famous in the hearts and palates of generations of connoisseurs around the world. This is what we found to do -- and, critically, what not to do -- when visiting.
Read moreInsanely great airfares make this the absolute right time to book your Europe trip for later in 2017
If you've had a trip to Europe on your wishlist, now's the time to book it for later this year. We've been watching the airline prices from some of the big trans-Atlantic markets in the United States, and are feeling quite good about the fares available right now. The specifics will vary, but the bottom line is that we think now is the time to pull in a good deal (some even in the sub-$500 round trip range, flying economy class, of course).
Read moreTwo-day guide to stunning beauty and charm of Lisbon, Portugal, Western Europe's oldest city
Night falls on Rua Augusta. White tiles -- polished by age beneath the feet of throngs who have walked here -- reflect the yellow street lamps as if we were standing atop the water of a reflecting pool. We've descended the hill above us, from Sé de Lisboa down to this pedestrian avenue animated by the energy of diners and evening revelers. Lisbon, Portugal, is the oldest in Western Europe, eclipsing Rome by nearly five centuries, and the other great capitals by at least a millennium. This is how you spend 48 hours here.
Read morePort wine at river's end: Tasting Quinta do Noval in Portugal and beyond
Port wine is one of our favorite evening drinks in autumn, winter, and spring. We recently stepped off the busy street on Avenido de Diogo Leite -- in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, across the Douro River from the city of Porto -- into the tasting room of the Quinta do Noval winery. Widely available in the United States and around the world, I'd recommend Quinta do Noval as a Port to serve at home, and as a place to top into if you ever find yourself in Gaia.
Read moreReview: TAP Portugal Express, Seville to Lisbon to Porto, is great quality for short flights
TAP Portugal between Seville (Spain), Lisbon, and Porto treated us to the best regional air travel we've expereienced. If you love spending time on the Iberian Peninsula (that's Spain and Portugal, for the geographically uninitiated) as much as we do, it's entirely likely that TAP will be a big part of your plans. They are worth considering.
Read moreReview: TAP Portugal, Lisbon to London: Good value, but utter chaos makes a bad experience
TAP Portugal flies about eighty aircraft from its hub in Lisbon throughout Europe, Africa, North and South America. You've likely been tempted by their often-great airfare if you're one who flies to, from, and within Europe. They're particularly relevant if you fly United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, SAS, and any of the other Star Alliance member airlines because you might find yourself on a TAP flight through Portugal en route to where you're going.
Read moreLovely wine, gorgeous country, and barrels of living history at Portugal's Quevedo Port Winery
It was quite easily one of the most stunningly beautiful vineyards we'd ever seen. Vines covered in autumn's reds, yellows, and oranges stretched in neat rows towards green fields beyond, a country road turning around the next vineyard where houses dot the hillside, river and mountains beyond, white clouds streaking across the crystal blue sky above, all seen through the floor to ceiling window in the tasting room at Quevedo, one of the Douro's finest port wineries.
Read moreStunning wine, breathtaking view, attention to detail at Quinta do Pôpa on Portugal's Douro River
Perched high on a strikingly steep mountain rising above the winding Douro River in northern Portugal -- one of the most stunning sites I've ever seen -- terraced rows of vines etched into the hillside lead up a winding road to the Quinta do Pôpa winery. They could trade on the scenery alone, but offer guests to the visitor-friendly tasting room excellent wine and an inspiring family story. This is mustn't-miss wine in the countryside east of the city of Porto.
Read moreNavigating Lisbon Airport: A mixed bag with some great deals on trans-Atlantic flights
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is relevant for intra-European and trans-Atlantic travelers alike because it's home and hub of the airline TAP Portugal, and TAP is rather good at offering competitive prices to, from, and inside of Europe... if you are willing to take a layover in Lisbon, often times at roundtrip fares from the U.S. to various European destinations offered at less than $500.
Read moreChecking in from beautiful wine country in Spain and Portugal
Writing today from the wineries of Portugal's Douro Valley. We arrived in Madrid, Spain ten days ago before heading through the Spanish winemaking regions of Toro, Ribera del Duero, and Rioja. There is much to share, and much wine to tell you about, but on this Monday morning we wanted to check in with a few of the best things we've seen. Cheers!
Read morePenada Wines from Portugal's Trás-os-Montes exude character and delight the senses
A delightful Portuguese wine arrived in the United States for the first time this year. In the Montez family vineyard high on the Penada hill that rises above the village of Loivos, winemaker Marco Montez has labored to produce three wines from distinctly local grape varieties that thrive in the hot weather and drink well in the scorching summer.
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