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Welcome back to part two with Anne McHale, Master of Wine. In this episode, we shift our focus from Alsace to the Douro region in Portugal. Anne shares her memorable experience of treading grapes in the Douro, highlighting the historical significance of traditional foot treading in port wine production and comparing it to modern mechanical methods.

We'll explore the primary red grapes used in port production: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Cão, and Tinta Barroca. Additionally, we'll discuss the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Douro, with its steep, vineyard-covered slopes visible (something we should all be experiencing from a cruise boat along the River Douro).

We dig deeper into the unique vineyard planting methods: the traditional stone-wall terraces called Socalcos, the 1980s earth-bank Patamares, and the vertical plantings known as Vinha ao Alto. And even the oldest stone walls, Pilheiros, believed to be 400 years old.

This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.

If you want to skip ahead:

2.45: The different techniques used to build the unique terraces of the Douro region

06.01: Treading grapes at Quinta do Vesuvio

10.55: The €500 per-person experience at Quinta do Vesuvio

11.44: Douro - A UNESCO World Heritage site

13.30: Advantages & disadvantages of Treading traditionally vs mechanically  

16.35: Best places for premium wines - Douro superior & Cima Corgo, and the climatic changes throughout region

17.40: Understanding these geographical concepts in preparation for the diploma questions

18.57: The schist and granite soils

20.45: Questions surrounding the Touriga Nacional variety - the D5 Fortified Exam and how to remember the descriptions of each grape variety in the typical blend

25.32: Anne’s experience staying in the Grahams’ Quinta - Quinta Dos Malvedos

26.20: Douro: The third oldest demarcated wine region in Europe

29.56: Syminton Family Estates

30.30: Wine Estate recommendations in the Douros

33.58: Three Therapy - a comprehensive guide on how to study for the Level 3 WSET

And don’t forget if you want to know more about Anne’s incredible Diplomatherapy you can click HERE to get weekly emails to help you with your diploma. Or if you want to explore more of what Anne has to offer Diploma related, click HERE.

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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