A blue river snakes its way through steep hillsides with vines carved into mountains. Sleepy and charming villages are dotted with whitewashed wineries, where time moves slowly and winemakers work tirelessly for centuries to produce the grapes for Port.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
This is the Douro Valley in Portugal also called the \u201cenchanted valley.\u201d While not as well known as Bordeaux, Tuscany or Napa Valley, the Douro Valley is one of the world\u2019s oldest demarcated wine regions. Located approximately 60 miles inland of the coastal city of Porto<\/a>, the Douro is divided into three subregions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior.<\/p>\n\n The history of the valley as a viticultural area dates back much further. Wine has been produced in the Douro for around 2,000 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n The historical foundation of viticulture began with the Romans but it was in the 12th century that Cistercian monks consolidated the vineyards to produce mass wine for the liturgical act and also to provide funds for their monasteries.<\/p>\n