A spontaneous wine tasting in the heart of Porto

In the heart of Porto, in the shadow of Ponte Luis, restaurants are clustered together and it’s easy to miss how beautiful the area is amid all the tourists and street vendors.
But if you venture away from the wide streets and into the winding alleys just a few blocks from the waterfront, completely different experiences await.

There, in a corner, you will find Art & Wine, a wonderful little treasure. It feels like stepping into someone’s living room when you walk in and sit down at one of the small tables. The focus is on the wines, although they also offer light snacks if you are hungry.

Although the room itself is small, the wine list is impressive. Perhaps not so much in terms of size, although it has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in that department, but in terms of the careful selection. It is clear that it has been curated by someone with genuine knowledge and love of Portuguese wines.

This is confirmed when I start talking to the young man behind the counter. The whole thing soon develops into a small improvised wine tasting with a focus on white wines. Pedro, as my guide is called, suggests I try a Vino Verde. It wasn’t the wine I had my eye on, but I follow his advice. I’m immediately very glad I did. The wine is fruity, fresh and clear with aromas of apple and peach. The taste is fresh with distinct minerals, pink grapefruit, roses and hints of peach.

Pedro is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who not only provides background information on each specific wine, but also tells us about the regions and their individual characteristics. Other customers, that like me just happened to stumble in, are also soon engaged to widen their wine experience.

It is often said that only those who really know their subject can explain it in a way that everyone understands. After seeing Pedro in action, I would recommend all wine lovers, both experienced and novice, to seek out Art & Wine when in Porto. It is definitely worth a visit.

Maria Scharffenberg