The Port / Port wine cellars are definitely the most precious gem(s) that Gaia offers to the world.
The so famous Port wine cellars are located in the riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia, in the parish of Santa Marinha.
The Port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia are not merely an extension of the Douro.
The secret of aging the precious nectar in barrels, in darkness and humidity of the cellars covered with dust, a unique and genuine atmosphere that only age can confer.
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| C. da Silva´s cellar |
In the early 17th century directly from the Douro valley, but with the wine volumes traded increasing exponentially there was a need to seek new storage places along the Douro river.
The Ribeira de Gaia has provided the perfect solution for that issue.
The headquarters of the companies, however, would be a few more decades on this side of the river, as close to New Street from the British, today Rua do Infante, then the commercial and financial center of Porto city.
The Douro River flows from the province of Soria, on the peaks of the Sierra de Urbião in Spain, 2080 meters of altitude.
Until you get to the mouth in Porto city, the Douro river slides along 850 kilometers of narrow and deep channels.
Popular voices say that the river´s name "Douro" lays is origin in a unique color that occurred especially in rainy times... a golden color.
But some say that in the slopes were found rhinestones that would be gold.
In short the portuguese meaning for something made of gold - de ouro or the contraction douro.
The construction of dams has allowed the river to stay calmer, encouraging tourism boat tours.
At the mouth of the Douro river separates the city of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia (where the cellars are located) and is crossed by six bridges.
The overwhelming majority of cellars are situated on the slopes of Vila Nova de Gaia between two bridges, Dom Luís and Arrábida.
Although there are others slightly distant, like C. da Silva, located near the downtown, it is crucial being well located, so... we have nowadays a mandatory place situated at the riverside a few meters from the Dom Luís bridge... C. da Silva´s Port & Wine shop... it definitely worth any effort to visit us.
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| C. da Silva´s Port & Wine shop |
