Lisbon: Fortified Wine Tasting (Port/Moscatel/Abafado)

Explore Portugal’s Fortified Wines in Lisbon

The Lisbon: Fortified Wine Tasting tour offers a delightful introduction to Portugal’s iconic sweet wines. Hosted at Taverna das Marias, this one-day experience allows visitors to taste three distinct fortified wines—Port, Moscatel de Setúbal, and Abafado do Tejo—each with its own story and flavor profile.

For those interested in Portuguese wine culture, this tour provides a relaxed, authentic setting. It’s ideal for wine lovers, curious visitors, or anyone wanting a taste of Portugal’s rich oenological heritage. The experience is designed to be approachable, with expert guides sharing insights in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Key Points

• Includes tastings of Port, Moscatel, and Abafado do Tejo at Taverna das Marias
• Duration is flexible; check availability for starting times
• Learn stories and secrets behind Portugal’s most famous fortified wines
• Delicious accompanying snack: sardine pâté on cornbread toast with roasted peppers
• Guided experience with recommendations to enhance your tasting journey
• Free cancellation available up to 24 hours in advance

Meeting Point and Schedule Details

The tour begins next to Campo das Cebolas and Terreiro do Paço Metro in Lisbon. The specific start time is confirmed upon booking, with availability checked for each date. The activity ends back at the meeting point, making it convenient for participants staying nearby.

Booking is flexible, allowing reservation and payment later to suit your travel plans. To ensure a smooth experience, visitors are asked to send an email with their arrival time in advance, helping guides prepare for the group.

Tasting the Iconic Port from Douro

The Port wine featured in this experience hails from the Douro region. Known globally as a rich, sweet nectar, it offers deep notes of dried fruit, spices, and chocolate. This wine is perfect for those who enjoy intense, sophisticated flavors. The guide explains its production and unique qualities, helping you appreciate its place in Portuguese culture.

Expect to taste a wine that balances sweetness and complexity, ideal as a dessert wine or pairing with cheeses. The Port tasting is a highlight, especially for those new to fortified wines or seasoned connoisseurs alike.

Discovering Moscatel de Setúbal’s Aromatic Charm

The Moscatel de Setúbal is an aromatic and exuberant wine, famous for its honey, orange blossom, and apricot nuances. This balanced sweet wine combines fruitiness with a fresh finish, making it a versatile choice for different palates.

Guides share insights into what makes Moscatel de Setúbal special, including its aromatic profile and the slight sweetness that makes it refreshing. Sample this vibrant wine and learn which foods or moments it pairs best with, enhancing your understanding of Portugal’s diverse wine styles.

More Great Tours Nearby

Abafado do Tejo: Portugal’s Lesser-Known Treasure

While less prominent than Port or Moscatel, Abafado do Tejo emerges as a smooth, flavorful option. It features hints of caramel and dried fruit, offering a unique profile that surprises many visitors. This lesser-known fortified wine demonstrates Portugal’s wide-ranging wine craftsmanship beyond the more famous labels.

The guide explains this wine’s distinct qualities and shares stories behind its production, making it a fascinating discovery for wine enthusiasts eager to explore Portugal’s hidden gems.

The Cozy Atmosphere at Taverna das Marias

The tasting takes place in Taverna das Marias, a cozy and inviting venue. The setting encourages relaxation, with informal guidance that makes complex wine stories easy to understand. Visitors can enjoy the warm ambiance while sampling wines and nibbling on the delicious snack of sardine pâté on cornbread toast with roasted peppers.

The venue’s intimate size ensures personalized attention from guides, who are skilled at sharing curiosities and insights about each wine. This relaxed environment fosters a genuine appreciation of Portuguese wine culture.

Enhancing the Experience with Food and Recommendations

Although the tour does not include a full gastronomic tour, it offers the option to add a Portuguese snacks tasting menu. This menu features delicious food pairings that complement each wine, such as local cheeses, charcuterie, or other regional specialties.

During the tasting, guides also offer personalized drink recommendations, helping participants discover the best ways to enjoy each fortified wine at home or during future visits to Portugal. These tips are practical and enhance the overall tasting experience.

Logistics and Practical Tips for Attendees

The tour is designed for flexibility with a validity of one day, so you can choose a starting time that fits your schedule. It’s suitable for anyone comfortable with a casual walking pace; no strenuous activity is involved.

Since the activity ends at the starting point, it’s convenient for those staying in central Lisbon. Remember to send an email with your arrival time when booking to help guides prepare and ensure a smooth start.

Price and Value for the Fortified Wine Tasting Experience

While the tour does not specify a fixed price, the offerings include three wine tastings, expert guidance, and a charming venue. Many similar experiences in Lisbon include comparable features, so the value lies in access to high-quality wines and local stories at a convenient location.

The free cancellation policy provides reassurance for flexible planning, and the option to reserve and pay later makes it easier to fit this experience into your itinerary.

Who Will Appreciate This Tour Most?

This tasting experience suits wine enthusiasts eager to learn about Portuguese fortified wines, as well as curious visitors wanting a relaxed introduction to local wine traditions. It’s ideal for small groups or individuals seeking an authentic, intimate setting in Lisbon.

Because of the informal storytelling style and delicious pairings, it’s also great for foodies interested in regional flavors. The tour’s friendly atmosphere makes it accessible for all levels of wine knowledge.

The Sum Up: A Flavorful Introduction to Portugal’s Fortified Wines

The Lisbon: Fortified Wine Tasting at Taverna das Marias offers a genuine, approachable way to explore Portugal’s famous sweet wines. The combination of expert guidance, delicious snacks, and distinctive wines makes for a memorable experience that’s easy to enjoy.

While it doesn’t include a full gastronomic tour, the option to add food pairings enhances the overall value. Visitors who appreciate a relaxed, informative setting will find this experience both enjoyable and educational.

This tour proves especially worthwhile for those seeking an authentic taste of Portuguese wine culture without the formality of larger tasting rooms. With flexible booking options and a central Lisbon location, it’s a practical choice for a flavorful afternoon or evening in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wines are included in the tasting?
The tour features Port, Moscatel de Setúbal, and Abafado do Tejo.

How long does the experience last?
The duration is flexible, with the activity valid for one day; check specific starting times upon booking.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins next to Campo das Cebolas and Terreiro do Paço Metro and finishes back at the same meeting point.

Is food included in the tour?
A snack of sardine pâté on cornbread toast with roasted peppers is included, but no full meal is provided unless added separately.

Can I cancel this experience?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start.

What languages are guides available in?
Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Yes, it’s suitable for adults comfortable with tasting wines and casual walking, with no strenuous activity involved.

Are there options to add food or other experiences?
Yes, you can add a Portuguese snacks tasting menu to enhance the experience.

How much does this experience typically cost?
Pricing details are not specified, but it offers value through multiple wine tastings, expert guidance, and a cozy venue.

Who would enjoy this tour most?
Ideal for wine lovers, foodies, and anyone curious about Portugal’s fortified wines in a relaxed setting.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby