Port Tasting

Today, my panel was in the morning, which left the afternoon a bit more open to do some sightseeing. The panel itself went well - in spite of the fact that only two of the four scheduled presenters managed to make it - and even so, we filled up nearly two hours between our talks and questions. (No softballs from the audience, either!)

We wrapped up around 1300, which left plenty of time to do something in the afternoon. In my case, that something was to hop the metro over to Nuovo Gaia and do a bit of port sampling. I only managed to make four - Portugal apparently has a different concept of "tasting pours" than we do in the U.S, as in our tasting pours are generally one ounce and theirs are a full glass or so....*hic* But I did manage today to get to Quinta do Nuovo, Sandeman, Kopke, and one other. I got to try a lot of interesting vintages. including a really unusual rose port as well as a few dry whites and vintages. Not sure if it was the "pauvre pauvrecita" traveling by my lonesome, as Ian likes to call it, or the American in a land far away syndrome, but I seemed to get extra-special attention in a few of the cellars - or as one might say, extra samples. It could also be a factor - and in my opinion, most likely -that unlike most of the other taster I actually knew wine pretty well and could ask complex questions. Winos like to show off for other winos, which means if you seem to know what you're talking about - your tasting table is quickly full of all kinds of good stuff.

The truly interesting part of the evening was after I decided I had had quite enough wine, and needed some food in me. I wandered across the Duoro, found a place that looked like it had some good local fish, and hopped a seat. Even now, I'm still not entirely sure how it happened - one minute I was being a foodie with the server, the next they're shuttling me into the kitchen to learn how to prepare Portuguese salted cod and dice garlic. !!! Either I was making points with the locals or becoming immigrant labor, not quite sure which - but it was very fun, I learned some excellent pointers, and had a fantastic meal. (Note, I was the only person shuttled into the kitchen, this wasn't like in Istanbul where I paid to learn to cook.) One of the waiters wanted to know if I knew Anthony Bourdain and could pass his name along - so errr.....since James does in passing know Tony B., guess I have some introductions to make now?

In any case, the most interesting night I've had here so far. Yay for getting out and about and eating on the local economy! And if you see me in the Porto No Reservations, well - I'll be the blonde in the kitchen.