Tremble Douro! There are also good wines here
Vedras Towers It is a town very close to Lisbon located in an area full of attractions: landscapes, history, gastronomy, festive people, sports, 20 kilometers of coastline and beaches.
With nearly 80,000 inhabitants, also It is one of the most important wine production areas of the DOC Lisboa. Such is its importance that during 2018 it has served as European City of Wine next to the neighbor Alenquer.
The figures do not lie and between both they work more than 12,000 hectares of vineyards and produce more than 600 million liters a year in whites, reds and rosés with a strong Atlantic character, due to its proximity to the ocean.
Torres Vedra and its mythical castle
TORRES VEDRAS AND ALENQUER, CAPITALS OF WINE
The benefits of Torres Vedras have pleasantly surprised us. On a historical level, Did you know that this was where the defeat of Napoléon and his troops began to take shape in 1810? This was thanks to a sophisticated defense system used in the Spanish War of Independence, called the ** Linhas de Torres Vedras ,** which today have an interpretation center at the top of the mountain, next to the fort that defended the city.
As we advanced you wine has been one of the dynamic elements, both its economy and tourism.
How was it possible that in a producing area its wines were not known? During its candidacy as European City of Wine together with Alenquer, a witness that they have just ceded to the Italian territory of Sannio Falanghina, They have organized numerous activities so that the quality of their wines can be known, both in Portugal and abroad.
And it is that these two small cities are surrounded by historic villas (farms) that have been dedicated to wine production for centuries. Until recently, they exported 90% of their production to the rest of the world, so in Portugal they were not as well known as the Douro wines, territory to which they have nothing to envy.
Fifth of Chocapalha
The trend has changed and now these two areas, belonging to the DOC Lisboa, put their wines ahead of everything and bet on wine tourism.
This is the case of producers such as ** Quinta do Pinto and Quinta de Chocapalha **, in Alenquer; and of Vale da Capucha and Quinta da Boa Esperança , in Torres Vedras. All of them organize visits to their vineyards and facilities, as well as tastings and experiences around the world of wine.
Quinta do Pinto works with the maximum “wine is made in the vineyard” and is positioned as one of the oldest wineries in the region, dating its foundation from the 17th century. We could say that it is a boutique winery, because its production is very tight , no more than 150,000 bottles a year.
In addition, it has the peculiarity that their wines ferment naturally and age in concrete vats. Each of them is dedicated to one of the grandchildren of the founder, thus involving the family in this long tradition. They organize tastings and lunches and the mere fact of visiting your house surrounded by nature it's already worth it.
For its part, Fifth of Chocapalha has the nickname of 'family state' since it is the Tavares da Silva family the one that continues to the foot of the canyon in the elaboration of its wines and they have built a winery that blends perfectly with the landscape of the Montejunto mountain range.
Its wines speak of the terroir close to the Atlantic and the past of these Roman lands, using little-extended techniques such as the winery for the elaboration of its red wines.
Respect for nature commands here
This winery joined forces with two others in the area, ** Quinta de Sant'Ana and Quinta do Monte d'Oiro **, also family owned, under the Lisbon family vineyards label to focus their efforts on publicizing the passion with which they work and the region.
Back in Torres Vedras, it is worth visiting the Quinta da Boa Esperanza , relatively new, since its commissioning dates from 2014, year in which the family bought the vineyards, to focus not so much on mass production, but on quality and the relationship between the respect for nature and its coexistence with man. Therefore, it was born as a concept of sustainable vineyards that are cared for with care until the harvest.
For its part, in Vale da Capucha have specialized in natural and organic wines, adopting environmentally friendly agricultural techniques, without chemicals or anything that can hinder the natural growth and development of its grapes.
AND BACK TO THE CITY...
You cannot leave Torres Vedras without trying one of its most representative gastronomic products, the feijao pasteis , a sweet that began as a convent and soon became the favorite of the bourgeoisie of the city in the 19th century. To make it, they use white beans, egg yolk, almonds, sugar and water.
Today you can find them at Benjamin House , a charming patisserie on Rua Almirante Gago Coutinho, where they make them by hand and where they have become so popular that even the national airline, TAP, gives its travelers one during flights.
Duck with ginja mold from Óbidos, couve flower purée and caçoila of horta vegetables
Nor can you miss the visit to his municipal market , because we already know what markets are to the life of the city. They sell fish from the Atlantic, organic vegetables, cheese... and the favorite sandwiches of the inhabitants of Torres Vedras: pork bifanas and Portuguese stew.
And for eat? we stay with Two Fifths , a restaurant surrounded by gardens and terraces where they serve Updated traditional cuisine, by chef Fernando Gourgel. They use ingredients from their own garden, as well as local fish and poultry from their farm.
On the other hand, in roots you will live a unique gastronomic experience. Located in the Varzea Green Park It has several spaces: a coffee shop, a wine bar in which to taste the wines of the region, craft beers and cocktails; and the restaurant , where it is prepared typical Portuguese and local cuisine with dishes such as bolinas de alheira, scrambled eggs with farinheira or the house specialty, the Wellington sirloin, in homage to the Linhas de Torres Vedras era. For dessert, ask for his reinterpretation of the famous pastei de feijão. Will not leave you indifferent.
Typical cuisine of the area at its tables
If you like sleeping in the countryside, book at Cambeiros Guest House . It's in Alenquer, but it's worth scrolling.
It is located in the Gavinha village and it is the project of a family of five in which the father is an architect, a designer daughter and another of the sons an expert in tourism. all together decided open the doors of this charming hotel in the village where they grew up. It will be like being in your own home.
The space is built around a lounge with a fireplace, books and board games, views of the vineyards and rooms in which good taste, modern furniture and attention points with antique pieces are combined.
Torres Vedras also has large hotels such as the Dolce Campo Real, located in a former hunting ground of the Portuguese royal family, surrounded by vineyards and golf courses.
THE CARNIVAL OF TORRES VEDRAS, SINCE 1912
From Torres Vedras we have also discovered that It is one of the Portuguese cities that best celebrates carnival. Between March 1 and 6, it becomes a party to which everyone is invited and which brings together more than 400,000 people each year , inviting all of them to participate actively. Here some do not look and others vibrate, everyone joins the celebration.
A carnival with more than 100 years of history
You want to know more? The carnival tradition in Torres Vedras dates back to 1912, the year in which the first great carnival was organized in its streets, like a pagan festival where nothing was what it seemed.
Thus, in 1923 was celebrated again and acquired dimensions that made it a the big party in town, being broadcast on public television for years to come.
Its peculiarities? Initially, women could not participate in this celebration and it is from 1926, when the 'matrafonas' appeared: groups of men dressed as women, not transvestites, which have become one of its most characteristic symbols.
Another is that of the Kings of Carnival. On the first day of festivities, the mayor grants the keys to the city to these (always two men, one of them playing the queen) who are not political figures, but citizens of Torres Vedras who live the carnival intensely and who will take the controls on day 1 at 10:30 p.m. with his enthronement.
At the beginning of the 20th century, allegorical cars, one of the trademark images of the Torres Carnival, always loaded with political and social satire, whether local, national or international who will take to the streets next March 3 and 5 in a parade, as well as the tradition of the giants and big heads.
Parades, DJ performances and Five days of non-stop festivities await you in this Portuguese city.
Five days of celebration in Torres Vedras