Wine - this is one of the main items of Portuguese exports.Even those who do not know much about the westernmost country of Europe, and its culinary traditions - certainly heard anything about the port and Madeira.These two elegant dessert wines have been around for hundreds of years.
Vineyards in the territory of modern Portugal began to cultivate the Phoenicians around 600 BCIn 219 BC, when the Romans invaded Portugal, Phoenician plantations has grown rapidly and become the center of the Roman province of winemaking.Some experts argue that some Phoenician plantations survived to our time, their age now stands at more than 2 500 years, and these grapes in the world there is nowhere else.
In any case, the Romans with great pleasure that contributed to Portugal's wine production and distribution of it throughout the Roman Empire.Roman artifacts, including presses for crushing grapes and amphorae for fermentation and storage of wine, still is in the neighborhood of the Portuguese city of Porto.
In the Middle Ages, Portugal flourished as a powerful state, and at the same time as a strong manufacturer and exporter of wine.Porto, the city, who gave his name to port, and gave the world the famous Prince Henry the Navigator, - he founded the Sagres School of Navigation, whose graduates have taken an active part in the Age of Discovery.
among the first foreigners to assess the quality of Portuguese wine, became British.Tired of constant bickering with France, England turned to Portugal to request the supply of wine, especially port.
Thanks to the signing of a cooperation agreement, reinforced by marital ties (mother of Henry the Navigator was an Englishwoman, and Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II of England, was a Portuguese princess), Portugal and England became inseparable economic partners.This relationship continues to this day: every self-respecting Englishman prefers to finish your meal with a slice of English stiltonskogo cheese and a glass of good wine from Porto.
How popular Portuguese wines in the world, just as the Portuguese kept the secrets of their preparation.Only a few brands of high-quality wines are allowed to export.The remaining grape treasures stored in the country at the level of public property.To taste the best Portuguese wines, often have to go to their home.
Articles Source: wineworld.ru
