Destinations | EUROPE

Graham Port Review – One of the best Porto Wine Brands

30 Mar 2022 | Destinations, Europe, Portugal

Want to spend an amazing time at one of the best Porto wine brands? Look no further than the remarkable Graham Port located in the heart of the city of Porto, in northern Portugal. 

Graham’s port mission is all about making the best wines – one of the highest quality that soothes the soul! 

Graham Port - Porto

**Disclaimer: Graham’s port has welcomed us to Porto and invited us to experience the port spirit of ‘crafting one of the great traditions’. As always all opinions are my own and I share my own honest experiences.**

Graham’s Port Review – Best Porto wine brands

About Graham’s Port

Graham’s is a producer of port wine. Their heritage dates back to almost two hundred years ago, since the time W & J Graham operated as an independent family business producing the finest Port wines.

Fast forward a few decades later, Graham’s invested in its own vineyards in the Douro Valley in northern Portugal and brought a revolution in winemaking. 

Graham’s port is owned and managed by the Symington family, ten of whom still work in the company. Both them and their ancestors have made some of the greatest port wines of all – a combination of fruity tones, balanced with the huttiness of honey and figs. 

Graham’s owns some of the finest vineyards in the Douro Valley, and this is also one of the oldest wine regions in the world and a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The four main wine estates, and they are: Quinta dos Malvedos (for Graham ‘s Vintage Ports and Single Harvest Tawny Ports), Quinta do Tua, Quinta da Vila Velha and Quinta do Vale de Malhadas. They are located in different areas of the Upper Douro and the Douro Superior. 

And you can easily sample their wines in Porto, without having to venture into the valley. Graham’s Port brings you closer to the finest quality wines.

Graham Port - Porto
Graham Port - Porto

Where to find Graham Port

Graham Port is headquartered in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, which is easily accessible from Porto, the second-largest city in the country. 

You can also order their wines online, or find a local distributor!

Port wine to try out

Here are some of the Grahams Port wines to try out,

  • Graham’s 10-Year-Old Tawny Port: Aged Tawny Port (10 years) is one of the popular wines, offering a blend of the old and the new, with hints of fresh and fruit flavours. Port’s colour is a pale reddish amber colour – this is Graham’sone of the sought after wines, with a rich and a soft lingering finish.
  • Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Porto: Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is kept in barrels for 4 – 6 years and it is ready to drink wine. This wine is of deep red and purple colour with a mixture of flavours of plum, milk chocolate, spices and blood. Both of the above are fortified wine options from Graham’s. 

Graham’s also has a 2 year Fine Ruby Port, which is full-bodied with wine with an intense aromatic of black cherry, and dried fruits like oaks.

Graham Port - Porto

Ways to experience Graham Port

Wine tastings at the Graham Lodge

Graham Port allows you to immerse in Portuguese culture and of course wine tasting. 

To enhance your experience, visit Graham’s lodge. Here you can take a tour of the magnificent Graham’s cellars that were built in 1890.

These cellars contain a priceless collection of Port again in seasonal oak casks and bottles.

We enjoyed a tour with more info and a tasting. You can choose between a standard or main tasting room experience. 

  • Main Tasting Room: Experiences start at 18 euros, and it includes multiple tasting with food paired with panoramic views of Porto
  • Vintage Room: This is a premium tasting experience that starts at 40 euros. Vintage room sessions allow you to access some of the rarer ports in a quiet and serene atmosphere!

You can book a wine tasting session on their website. Click here 

  • Address: Rua do Agro 141, 4400-003 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Hours: Every day from 10:00 am to 07:00 pm
Graham Port - Porto

Grab dinner at VINUM restaurant

VINUM Restaurant & Wine Bar is a part of Graham’s Port. Just like the wine, VINUM combines the best of the two families who started the legendary port wine. This restaurant brings in gastronomy and wine in a world-class location. 

Along with authentic Portuguese cuisine, you can also taste delicacies from the Basque region. This amazing restaurant offers a magical view of Porto from their terrace! 

  • Address: Rua do Agro 141, Porto (Caves Graham’s) 4400-003, Vila Nova de Gaia
  • Hours: Every day from 12:00 pm to 03:00 pm for the restaurant 

Accommodation in Porto

For a cozy and intimate stay at the Cocorico Guesthouse, located conveniently in the heart of the city. 

  • Address: Rua do Duque le Loule 97, Porto

Click here for more info and bookings.

Porto bezienswaardigheden

Other things to do in Porto Portugal 

After an amazing port wine experience, do make time to explore the wonderful city of Porto. Check out the following attractions,

Lunch at the Armazem 93

You can enjoy a lovely hipsterish lunch at the Armazem 93.

This cozy restaurant is housed inside a converted wine and port warehouse and is located down by the river Douro. It has a gallery, cafe, and store – all under one roof. 

I highly recommend this cafe as it’s a great cultural spot to hang out, do a little shopping (or window shopping), and enjoy art. Not into shopping? You will love to sit down, relax and take in the views from their beautiful terrace.

  • Address: Rua de Miragaia 93, Porto
  • Hours: Every day from 11:30 am to 08:00 pm

Learn traditional tile painting 

One of the most unique experiences in Porto is tile painting. 

So, next time you’re in Portugal, make sure to keep an eye out for these beautiful azulejos!

As you might already know, Porto is full of tiles, known locally as azulejos. These beautiful hand-painted ceramic tiles are everywhere and have been used in Portugal for centuries.

We learned how to create our own tiles at the Gazete Azulejos. This was a super fun workshop, and I highly recommend it!

Graham Port - Porto
Graham Port - Porto

During this workshop, the owners also showcased all the art and the goal of this agency is to research the promotion, and perseverance of the Portuguese tiles used to decorate buildings. 

Today, as the art is disappearing, a workshop like this one helps to keep the traditions alive! 

Typically, these workshops last for 2 hours, where you get to paint 2 tiles. They also make for a great souvenir to take back home. Costs start at 30 euros. You can book an experience here.

 

Keep in mind that tiles have to be fired up, and hence you can pick them up the following day (so book a workshop on the initial days of your trip to Porto). 

  • Address: Rua Duque de Palmela 230 Porto

 

Pro tip: If you are interested in learning about azulejos, here are some tips

One of the best places to see azulejos is at the Palacio de Bolsa, a former stock exchange building in the city center. The interior is decorated with thousands of colorful azulejos, and it’s definitely worth a visit.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of azulejos, there’s a great museum dedicated to them in Lisbon. The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is located in an old convent and has a fascinating collection of tiles from all over Portugal.

Graham Port - Porto

Palacio da Bolsa

The Palacio da Bolsa is a neoclassical palace in Porto, Portugal. It was formerly the Stock Exchange of Porto. The palace is now a museum.

The construction of the Palacio da Bolsa began in 1842. The project was commissioned by the city of Porto. The architect was José Luís Monteiro. The Palacio da Bolsa was completed in 1850.

The Palacio da Bolsa is one of the most important historical buildings in Porto. It is a symbol of the city’s wealth and power during the 19th century. The palace is decorated with lavish interiors. The main hall is called the Salão Nobre. The Salão Nobre is decorated with a chandelier and a fresco by Portuguese artist Eugénio da Silva Porto.

The Palacio da Bolsa is open to the public. Visitors can take tours of the palace and learn about its history. The Palacio da Bolsa is a popular tourist attraction in Porto.

  • Address: R. de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal

São Bento Railway Station

The São Bento Railway Station is a major railway station in Porto, Portugal. The station is served by the Porto Metro and is one of the busiest railway stations in Portugal. The station was opened in 1916. 

The station is named after the nearby Benedictine monastery of Saint Benedict of Porto.

The São Bento Railway Station is not only a terminus for many national and international trains, but it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Porto.

  • Address: Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal

Church of St. Francis

The Church of St. Francis is a Franciscan church in Porto, which was built in the 14th century. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The church has a nave and two side chapels. The facade of the church is decorated with tile panels. The tile panels depict scenes from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

You can visit the church, and even join guided tours to learn about its history. The Church of St. Francis is a popular tourist attraction in Porto.

  • Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique, 4050-297 Porto, Portugal
Graham Port - Porto
Graham Port - Porto

Livraria Lello

The Livraria Lello is a bookstore in Porto, Portugal. It is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal. The store was founded in 1869. The Livraria Lello is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Porto.

The bookstore has an ornate interior and a wide selection of books. The Livraria Lello is also a popular place to buy souvenirs.

  • Address: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal

Stroll through the Ribeira District

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Porto is the Ribeira District. This area is located along the Douro River and is full of narrow, cobbled streets and traditional Portuguese architecture.

It’s the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll, do some people-watching, and soak up the atmosphere of this historic city.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, the Ribeira District is also home to some of Porto’s best restaurants. Make sure to try the francesinha, a traditional Portuguese dish that is not to be missed!

Dom Luís I Bridge

After exploring the Ribeira District, take a walk across one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks, the Dom Luís I Bridge. This bridge spans the Douro River and offers stunning views of Porto’s skyline. You can also take a ride on one of the vintage tram cars that operate on the bridge.

The Ribeira District is the perfect place to spend a day in Porto.

Jardim do morro 

This is a beautiful park in Porto that offers an amazing view of the city. 

  • Address: Vila Nova de Gaia

Casa de Serralves

This is a beautiful indoor and outdoor museum, located inside the park of Serralves. 

  • Address: Rua dom João de castro 210, Porto
Graham Port - Porto
Graham Port - Porto

Finally, visiting a wine cellar is a must. Port wine is world-renowned, and there’s no better place to try it than in its city of origin. 

Many of the city’s wine cellars including Graham Port offer tours and tastings, so you can learn about this delicious beverage while enjoying a few glasses. 

Do take a tour of one of Porto’s cellars, visit Livraria Lello (one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores), or climb up to the top of Clerigos Tower for an unbeatable view of the city – no matter how you choose to enjoy port wine, it’s sure to be a highlight of your trip to Porto! Need more tips to enjoy Porto to the fullest? Read my detailed guide on how to spend two days in Porto here.

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