TRAVEL & WINE EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
Azores. Portugal.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE WINES, FOOD, COCKTAILS. VINES.
​Portugal is probably the most unexplored country with medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities. Join us as we explore Portugal from local food and great wines. Azores Islands is about 2-3 hours flight from mainland Portugal. Photo @travel.somm
Published 25 Sep 2024
Azores. Açores.
00 AZORES ARCHIPELAGO
Nine Volcanic Islands. 1,400km from Lisbon. 1,500km of Morocco.
The Azores, Portuguese: Açores, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal (along with Madeira). It is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,400 km of Lisbon, about 1,500 km of Morocco.
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Getting to Azores | Getting around the island is mostly done by cars. It's handy to have a rental car reserved before booking your flight.
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TAP Portugal and SATA flies from mainland Portugal Lisbon / Porto into the Azores islands.
Photo from Facebook/ASI Somm
Dining with Wines.
01 WINE IS BEST WITH FOOD AND FRIENDS.
Here's some of our favorites places in Pico Island.
Cella Bar
Cella Bar | This trendy bar and restaurant with sea views of the neighbor island of Faial. Its unique wood structure resembling a whale. Featuring a large collection of Azorean and Portuguese wines with a good food menu. Closed on Wednesday and walk-in only.
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Rua Da Barca, 9950-303 Madalena
https://www.facebook.com/cellabar
Photo from Facebook
O Cinco
Feeling the love of one of the most down to earth restaurants serving traditional Portuguese cuisine with the friendliest service paired with local wines.
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Pico Island – Azores, R. Carlos Dabney 5A, 9950-327 Madalena, Portugal
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Bioma
Bioma | Tasting menu with pairing wines of fresh Azorean local produce with high culinary techniques and traditional know-how and the flavors of the Azores. Tasting menu starts from 45Eur.
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Foros, ER1, 9930-055 Lajes do Pico
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Photo from Facebook/biomarestaurant.azores
Back to the Vines.
02 MEET THE WINE MAKER
The Island of Pico is the second largest in the Azores. Pico is about 1000 miles off the coast of Portugal.
Pico Island.
The Island of Pico is the second largest in the Azores with an area of 448km2. Pico is about 1000 miles off the coast of Portugal. It is dominated by the volcano Ponta do Pico, Portugal’s highest mountain. The soil is entirely black basalt, which puts enormous stress on the vines, lowering yields.
One of the oldest vines is located in Vinhas da Criação Velha, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO since 2004, this vine trail is rich in elements associated to the vine culture such as ´”rola-pipas” (carved slopes to enable the sliding of the wine barrels to the boats), “relheiras” (tracks left by the wheels of the ox carts), the shelter houses, the wine cellars, the tide wells, among others.
Azores Wine Company makes a really special wine, Vinha Centenaria produced from 100-year-old Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho, Alicante Branco and Boal vines located stone's throw from the ocean. Note the sea spray residue on the leaves. Photo from @travel.somm
Antonio Maçanita
One of the most prominent wine maker is Antonio Macanita from the Azores Wine Company who embarked on the boldest project to revive the wines of Azores.
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In 2010, winemaker António Maçanita began with a bold project to recover the Terrantez do Pico variety joined by 2 other founders Filipe Rocha, Paulo Machado to create the Azores Wine Company in 2014. With their passion in wines and gastronomy, they have created quite an unique wine experience.
Azores Wine Company
Winery | The Azores Wine Company produces around 150,000 bottles per year and focused on recovering about 100 hectares of vines on Pico Island with links with around 24 local winegrowers. Book for a wine tasting.
Adegas | Adega is a place where you can taste wines, enjoy a gastronomic experience and rest in this winery. Rooms starts from 180Eur.
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Restaurant | Inspired by local products and regional recipes, Pico Restaurant premieres a Tasting Menu or Ala carte at the Counter. 6 course Tasting Menu starts fr 95Eur
Rua do Poço Velho nº34, 9950-054 Bandeiras, Pico Island.
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https://www.antoniomacanita.com/en/wineries/azores-wine-company
Photo from Facebook/AzoresWineCompany
Azores.
Wines Varieties.
03 LETS TALK ABOUT WINES
​Here's some grapes varieties that's unique to the Azores.
3 ancient wine varietals and local varietals in the Azores.
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Verdelho o Original (aka Verdelho do Pico)
This varietal of Verdelho dates back to the original plantings in the early 17th century, and is indigenous to the Azores and Madeira. Not to be confused with Verdelho from Spain
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Arinto dos Açores
This version of Arinto has no relation to those on the mainland; it is a unique varietal which evolved over time to adapt to the extreme growing conditions here.
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Terrantez do Pico
This almost extinct grape variety is indigenous to Azores, very sensitive to rot, has low yielding and was gradually abandoned by local wine producers. This varietal, revived through the Fitapreta recovery project, is planted in the crack of the volcanic rock, where nothing else would grow, less than 50 metres from the wild Atlantic Ocean, receiving the constant brining of the sea. Typical nose of Bergamot, Iodine, Seaweed & minerals.
WHITES IN SINGLE VARIETALS OR BLENDS
REDS IN SINGLE VARIETALS OR BLENDS
Touriga Nacional
Planted almost everywhere in Portugal, this is the national grape of Portugal with different interpretations with each regional where it's planted.
Aragonez
As known as the Spanish grape Tempranillo and spelled either as Aragonez or Aragonês in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal.
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Castelão
Grown all over Portugal, this grape varietal is often used as in blends and sometimes in Port wine production.
Rufete
Grown mostly in the Douro Region, this is commonly used in the Port wine production.
São Miguel. Island.
04 AZORES ARCHIPELAGO ISLANDS.
The biggest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. It’s known for its volcanic scenery, flora and rich marine life, including whales. Ponta Delgada, is the capital of Azores and São Miguel.
Chá
Gorreana Tea Plantation
Gorreana Tea Plantation | The Gorreana Tea Factory is the oldest tea factory in Europe still in operation. Founded in 1883 by Ermelinda Pacheco Gago da Câmara. The humid rainy climate, the mild temperature, as well as the acidic and volcanic soil, produces the good quality green and black tea. Self guided tours of the plantation and the factory.
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Plantações de Chá Gorreana, 9625-304 Maia, São Miguel.
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Photo from Website
Local Cuisine.
05 TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE
Here are some of the must try while you are in Portugal. Be sure to try some of the Douro wines with it.
Azorean Cheese.
Queijo São Jorge | São Jorge cheese is named for the small island of São Jorge where it’s produced. Also called Queijo da Ilha (“cheese of the island”), it’s a semi-hard raw cow’s milk cheese. This dark yellow cheese has a distinct flavor that’s a little spicy and a nutty, but with a buttery core. The longer it’s aged, the spicier it gets. Produced for more than 200 years, Queijo São Jorge is made in large wheels.
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Queijo do São Miguel | This DOP cheese is made on the island of São Miguel and aged for a minimum of nine months. Known as the “black rind cheese”, the hard cow’s milk cheese is enrobed in black paraffin and has a salty, piquant flavor.
Bacalhau Salted Cod Fish.
Traditional Portuguese Salted Codfish
There are more than 365 ways to cook Bacalhau, one for every day of the year.
Here's some of classic dishes that you will see on menu, all over Portugal. Photo from Portugal.
Pasteis/ Pataniscas de Bacalhau
Shredded Codfish Cakes mixed with Potato and fried
Bacalhau a Bras
Shreds of bacalhau with onions and chopped fried pototes with scrambled eggs
Casserole of bacalhau, potatoes, eggs, olives, olive oil and onions​
Bacalhau à Lagareiro
Classic Grilled Codfish
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Bacalhau com Natas
Baked Casserole of codfish layered with onions, diced fried potatoes and cream
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Bacalhau à Narcisa
Fried codfish with onions and peppers, cooked with spices and olive oil
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Açorda de Marisco
Açorda de Marisco | This is hearty Portuguese dry bread soup that uses seasoned bread mash, usually infused with olive oil, sautéed onions served with various shellfish such as shrimps, cockles, or clams.
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Photo from Shutterstock / Tasteatlas.com
Resources.
06 LETS PLAN A TRIP
Here's some of the resources to help you plan for your next trip to Azores. This article is dedicated to the awesome Wines of Portugal.
WINES
Wines of Portugal - A great guide to the Wine Regions of Portugal.
​https://www.winesofportugal.com/en/
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Map of Wine Regions in Portugal - Wine Folly's Guide to the Wine Regions of Portugal.
https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-wines-to-drink-from-portugal-by-region/
STAY
As Casas da Vinha Criação Velha, Pico Island
Sol and Joao are one of the best host we met. They build and maintain this property and gave us a welcome tray of local Azorean gourmet foods.
WATCH
Janz Anto-Lago - Video Blogger - In Mood for Azores
THINGS TO DO
Sao Miguel Azores
Curated.
IT'S OUR PLEASURE. OBRIGADO.
Jorge is from Lisbon. He is a former international Cabin Crew.
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Pete is based in London. He works as an international Cabin Crew and is a Professional Sommelier.
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JJ is based in Sydney. He works as a Business First Cabin Crew and is a Professional Sommelier and teaches hospitality.
Special Thanks.
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Wines of Portugal.
Azores Wine Company.
Embassy of Portugal, Australia.