2005 Quinta do Crasto, Vintage Port

If you like visiting vineyards then the Douro is a must. The best way to travel up there is to take the train from Oporto. After the first few stops, at which most of your fellow passengers get out, you are left wending your way slowly up-river as the track parallels the river Douro up to the Spanish border four hours away. The valley gets steeper and the wild slopes get wilder, and become dotted with neat patches of vines. Just past the town of Pinhão is a small halt, which serves no other than the farm of Quinta do Crasto. This Quinta, or farm, is dramatically set upon a vine-clad hill, overlooking the river some 300 meters below. The estate derives its name from the Roman 'Crastum' meaning fortified hilltop. The Roquette family also make wine, but they make great Port from traditional grape varieties.