Tag Archive for: Portugal

For a wine lover, a wine tour of Spain & Portugal  is an easy way to experience the best wine regions of both countries. For us, the ideal Iberian wine route starts in Barcelona and ends in Porto or Lisbon. The cava cellars of Penedes and mythical reds of the Priorat wine region are highly accessible from Barcelona. Then from Priorat head to the source of Spanish red wine, the famous la Rioja. Just 3 hours away is the most exclusive wine region of Spain, Ribera del Duero, where the Tempranillo grape is king. From here, one crosses the border from Spain into Portugal, and enjoys the scenic beauty of the Douro Valley,  the most iconic wine region of Portugal. If you end your Spain & Portugal wine tour in Porto a visit to one of the many historic lodges along the Douro river with Port tastings is a must! Continuing to Lisbon, the undiscovered Vinho Verde and authentic rural Alentejo wine regions are mandatory stops.

For those wishing to experience the best of Spanish and Portuguese wine regions, we have carefully crafted our Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal. This 10 day wine tour covers the best regions of Spain & Portugal, the most interesting wineries and the most beautiful scenery.

Vinyes del celler Clos Figures, DOQ Priorat, darrera, el poble del Lloar, Gratallops, Priorat, Tarragona

Fly to Barcelona and start your wine trip in the Penedes Wine Region of Spain, famed as Cava country. Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine produced in the Traditional Method, just like Champagne. This Spanish bubbly was awarded it’s own D.O. (Wine Appellation) in 1986 and, although there are a few Spanish wine regions that produce Cava, the wine region of Penedes is the main area of production, over 90%. The Penedes wine region flagship grape variety is Xarel.lo making it the Penedes cava icon. Your visit to Penedes should include at least one of the spectacular modernist cava cellars as well as one of the emerging high- quality organic producers.

Your wine lovers tour continues to the Priorat Wine Region of Spain, where exceptional quality, red wines await you. These limited production reds are labelled DOC (Qualified Appellation of Origin) a denomination reserved to only Priorat and la Rioja. The Priorat wine region is famous for its mineral-rich soil and terraced hillsides of slate (called licorella by the locals), which create a unique humidity for the vines. Priorat wines blend the wine varietals of Garnacha and Cariñena and are substantial, inky wines of distinct character and reputation.

A not-to-be-missed stop is the Rioja Wine Region of Spain. Here we love to showcase the contrasts between historic and traditional wineries, some of them still making their own barrels and the sleek, modern cellars with amazing state-of -the-art wine-making techniques.  In the Rioja wine region there is a heavy use of oak for long ageing, which is the signature Rioja style, resulting in polished reds based mainly on Tempranillo but also Graciano and Garnacha blends. Bodegas Roda nave fermantación

Continuing west, you arrive to the Ribera del Duero Wine Region of Spain. Here you will taste the more modern, full-bodied and slightly more sophisticated single-vineyard wines at two of our favourite cellars. Part of Ribera del Duero wines’ uniqueness is due to Tinto Fino, the indigenous type of Tempranillo grape. The most mythical and inaccessible Spanish wineries are here, along the legendary Ribera del Duero Golden Mile and you will be lucky to visit one.

Crossing the border now you arrive to the beautiful Douro Valley wine region in Portugal, considered one the most spectacular wine regions of the world! Its characteristic terraced vineyards on the sloping hills meet the meandering river below. The in-vogue again Port wine is made here at various quintas (port wine cellars) along a narrow river gorge that winds 100 miles through the mountain ranges. Historically, Port wine was shipped downriver to the city of Porto for ageing, aboard sail-boats called Rabelos. Nowadays, the Douro Valley wine region of Portugal produces not only Port wines but also excellent reds mainly using the Touriga Nacional grape.

Douro Valley

 

Following the route of Port wine, as the grape juice once did from the Douro, you arrive to Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, famous for the Port Wine Lodges of historic port wine producers. Port houses have aged their wines in Vila Nova de Gaia for over three centuries and here, the ageing and blending of most of the world’s supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in wine-making.

If your Spain & Portugal wine tour is 10 days only, Porto is the perfect finale for this unique wine trip!  Take advantage of our expertise and let us take you to the very best wine regions and wineries of Spain and Portugal. We will ensure for you the best winery visits and wine tastings with expert in-house guides,  hand selected hotels and you will e able to make the most of your wine tastings as your chauffeur takes the driving strain!

You may like to include other wine regions of Spain and Portugal in your private wine tour, for example the up and coming Vinho Verde in northern Portugal and the rural, quaint and very authentic Alentejo wine region, half way between Andalucia and Lisbon. Just let us know and we can happily custom build your perfect wine tour based on your preferences. If you are looking for an ideal for the best route, have a look at our sample itinerary  Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal . Contact us for pricing or to start custom building your perfect wine tour of Spain and Portugal!

The World’s Best Restaurants 2018 have recently been announced and once again Europe features high up in the list and in fact  all the Top 3 Restaurants 2018 are European !!!!

(Skip to the bottom for the FULL list of the World’s Best Restaurants 2018 or read on to find out all the World’s TOP 3 Restaurants over the years)

worlds best 50

The Worlds Best Restaurants List has been around for a quite a few years! and is organised and compiled by Restaurant magazine and sponsored by S Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List,  now in its 16th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

After 13 years of being presented in London, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List Ceremony went on tour! First to New York, then to Melbourne and this year to Bilbao, Spain. Where in the World will the World’s 50 Best Restaurants be presented from in 2019????? We’ll let you know when we find out …

In the meantime here’s a look back over the last few years at all  the World’s TOP 3 Restaurants  from 2002 -> 2018:

World's Number ONE Restaurant 2018 + 2016

World’s Number ONE Restaurant 2018 + 2016

2018

  1. Osteria Francescana (Italy)
  2. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  3. Mirazur (France)

 

2017

  1. Eleven Madison Park (USA)
  2. Osteria Francescana (Italy)
  3. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)

 

2016

  1. Osteria Francescana (Italy)
  2. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  3. Eleven Madison Park (USA)

 

2015

  1. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  2. Osteria Francescana (Italy)
  3. Noma (Denmark)

 

2014

  1. Noma (Denmark)
  2. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  3. Osteria Francescana (Italy)

 

El Celler de Can Roca sign

World’s Number ONE Restaurant in 2015 + 2013

 

2013

  1. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  2. Noma (Denmark)
  3. Osteria Francescana (Italy)

 

2012

  1. Noma (Denmark)
  2. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  3. Mugaritz (Spain)

 

2011

  1. Noma (Denmark)
  2. El Celler De Can Roca (Spain)
  3. Mugaritz (Spain)

 

2010

  1. Noma (Denmark)
  2. El Bulli (Spain)
  3. The Fat Duck (UK)

 

2009

  1. El Bulli (Spain)
  2. The Fat Duck (UK)
  3. Noma (Denmark)

 

El Bulli

World’s Number ONE Restaurant in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 + 2002

 

2008

  1. El Bulli (Spain)
  2. The Fat Duck (UK)
  3. Pierre Gagnaire (France)

 

2007

  1. El Bulli (Spain)
  2. The Fat Duck (UK)
  3. Pierre Gagnaire (France)

 

2006

  1. El Bulli (Spain)
  2. The Fat Duck (UK)
  3. Pierre Gagnaire (France)

 

2005

  1. The Fat Duck (UK)
  2. El Bulli (Spain)
  3. The French Laundry (USA)

 

2004

  1. The French Laundry (USA)
  2. The Fat Duck (UK)
  3. El Bulli (Spain)

 

2003

  1. The French Laundry (USA)
  2. El Bulli (Spain)
  3. Le Luis XV, Alain Ducasse (Monaco)

 

2002

  1. El Bulli (Spain)
  2. Gordon Ramsey (UK)
  3. The French Laundry (USA)

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE CURRENT 100 WORLDS BEST RESTAURANTS FOR 2018:

FULL LIST 1 – 50 World’s  Best Restaurants 2018 here ->  https://www.gourmandbreaks.com/…/results-worlds-50-best-res…/

 

FULL LIST 51 – 100 World’s  Best Restaurants 2018 here -> https://www.gourmandbreaks.com/…/worlds-50-best-restaurants…/

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *   

We, Gourmand Breaks,  have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your custom-designed quote!

 

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Welcome New Year!

One we hope is full of cheer

And of far travels for you

And great experiences too!

Dream that two thousand 18

Brings you sights you’ve not seen?

And tastes of local food,

Or dining a la Michelin mood?

Dream of Portugal, Spain,

Stroll a French country lane?

Take a walk through the vines

And sip fine top class wines?

Well, there’s no need to dream,

Contact your Gourmand Breaks team

As we’ve got lots to share

To take your dream there.

Nerua Interior

IMG_7227

 

At Gourmand Breaks we are specialist Food, Wine and Cultural Private Tour creators, custom designing exclusive trip itineraries just for you!

On our website you will find many great sample Food, Wine and Cultural Private Tours in Spain, Portugal and SW France, to give you ideas. But, remember, while these samples are all “ready to wear” we can modify any to suit your preferences or build your personal ideal Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour Itinerary from scratch!

Don’t delay, contact us today :-)

The Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2018 has been presented this evening, and Oh! What a night!!!!!

The Ritz-Carlton Abama Hotel in Guía de Isora, Tenerife, home of the M.B restaurant under the direction of famed chef Martin Berasategui, certainly cooked up a wonderful Michelin starred event that left Spain and Portugal sparkling with Michelin stars once again!!!

There are 2 NEW MICHELIN 3* RESTAURANTS!!!!!! for the Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2018 !!! ABaC and Aponiente join the elite 9 to become 11 Michelin 3* Restaurants in Spain for the Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2018.

ABaC restaurant first opened it’s doors in 2000 in the premises of the now Ten’s Tapas Restaurant by Jordi Cruz. ABaC gained its 2nd Michelin for  the 2012 Guide and tonight becomes Michelin 3* and joins Martin Berasategui’s “Lasarte”  to give the city of Barcelona two Michelin Three Star Restaurants!

Angel León, known as Chef del Mar (Chef of the Sea) gains the 3rd Michelin Star for his restaurant Aponiente, in El Puerto de Santa Maria. Aponiente was awarded its 2nd Michelin Star for the 2015 guide and tonight joins the elite Michelin 3*crew.

Angel Leon

With the 2 new additions for 2018 the Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2018 offers a TOTAL OF ELEVEN MICHELIN 3 * Restaurants in Spain and  Portugal  (although all are in Spain)!!

  •  ABaC,  Jordi Cruz (Barcelona)
  • Akelare,  Pedro Subijana (San Sebastián – Guipúzcoa)
  • Aponiente, Angel Leon (El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)
  • Arzak, Juan Mari and Elena Arzak (San Sebastián – Guipúzcoa)
  • Azurmendi, Eneko Atxa (Larrabetzu – Vizcaya)
  • DiverXO, David Muñoz (Madrid)
  • El Celler de Can Roca,  Roca Brothers (Girona)
  • Lasarte, Martín Berasategui and Paolo Casagrande (Barcelona)
  • Martín Berasategui, Martín Berasategui (Lasarte – Oria – Guipúzcoa)
  • Quique Dacosta, Quique Dacosta (Dénia – Alicante)
  • Sant Pau, Carme Ruscalleda (Sant Pol de Mar – Barcelona) UPDATE: CLOSED IN October 2018

 

But, apart from 2 NEW Michelin 3 Starred Restaurants for the Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2018, here’s what else happened:

** 5 NEW Michelin Two Star Restaurants were awarded for the Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2018 (all to Spain):

  • Disfrutar, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas (Barcelona)
  • Dos Cielos, Sergio and Javier Torres (Barcelona)
  • Maralba, Fran Martínez (Almansa, Albacete)
  • Coque (Madrid) regains its stars after moving location
  • Cabaña Buenavista , Pablo González (El Palmar, Murcia)

 

* 19 NEW Michelin One Star Restaurants were awarded for the Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2018:

IN SPAIN:

  •  Alevante, Ángel León (Chiclana de la Frontera/Novo Sancti Petri, Cádiz)
  • Bardal, Benito Gómez (Ronda, Málaga)
  • Caelis (Barcelona) regains its star after moving location
  • Enigma, Albert Adrià (Barcelona)
  • Castell Peralada (Peralada, Girona)
  • La Candela Restò, Samy Ali Rando (Madrid)
  • Cebo, Aurelio Morales (Madrid)
  • Amelia, Paulo Airaudo (San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa)
  • Eneko, Eneko Atxa (Larrabetzu, Vizcaya)
  • Sucede, Miguel Ángel Mayor (Valencia)
  • Audrey’s by Rafa Soler (Calpe, Alicante)
  • El Rodat, Nazario Cano (Jávea, Alicante)
  • Nub, Andrea Bernardi and Fernanda Fuentes (La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
  • Trigo, Víctor Martín (Valladolid, Castilla y León)
  • Kiro Sushi, Félix Jiménez (Logroño, La Rioja)
  • La Bicicleta, Eduardo Quintana (Hoznayo, Cantabria)
  • El Doncel, Enrique Pérez (Sigüenza, Castilla-La Mancha)

 

IN PORTUGAL:

  • Restaurante Gusto,  Almancil
  • Vista, Praia da Rocha (Portimão)

 

COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS SPAIN & PORTUGAL 2018

 

Congratulations to all the wonderful chefs in Spain and Portugal for yet  another special Michelin year :-)

Experience Michelin starred Restaurant dining opportunities in Spain and Portugal on one of our Private Gourmet and Culinary Tours. Contact us for your personal quote.

RESULTS ARE IN for the The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 places 51-100!!!!!

World's Best 50 restaurants 2015

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2017 from Number One – 50 will be presented next week but, hot off the press,  here’s the NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 FULL COMPLETE LIST 2017 :

 

No.51 Mikla – Istanbul, Turkey

No.52 Nihonryori RyuGin – Tokyo, Japan

No.53 Burnt Ends – Singapore

No.54 Lyle’s – London, UK

No.55 Disfrutar – Barcelona, Spain  (NEW for 2017) – Miele One To Watch Award 2017

No.56 Nerua – Bilbao, Spain  (Falls from No.55)

No.57 Fäviken – Järpen, Sweden

No.58 Momofuku Ko – New York, USA

No.59 Combal Zero – Rivoli, Italy

No.60 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana – Hong Kong, China

No.61 Hertog Jan – Bruges, Belgium

No.62 Quique Dacosta – Denia, Spain (Falls from No.49)

No.63 The Test Kitchen – Cape Town, South Africa

No.64 La Grenouillère – La Madelaine Sous Montreuil, France

No.65 Biko – Mexico City, Mexico

No.66 Estela – New York, USA

No.67 Benu – San Francisco, USA

No.68 The French Laundry – Yountville, USA

No.69 Hiša Franko – Kobarid, Slovenia

No.70 Aqua – Wolfsburg, Germany

No.71 Lung King Heen – Hong Kong, China

No.72 Schloss Schauenstein – Fürstenau, Switzerland

No.73 La Colombe – Cape Town, South Africa

No.74 The Jane – Antwerp, Belgium

No.75 Sud777 – Mexico City, Mexico

No.76 Lasai – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

No.77 Martin Berasategui – Lasarte-Oria, Spain (Falls from No.59)

No.78 Indian Accent – New Delhi, India

No.79 Maaemo – Oslo, Norway

No.80 Le Cinq – Paris, France

No.81 Maní – São Paulo, Brazil

No.82 Chef’s Table At Brooklyn Fare – New York, USA

No.83 Atelier Crenn – San Francisco, USA

No.84 The Restaurant at Meadowood –  St. Helena, USA

No.85 Belcanto – Lisbon, Portugal (Falls from No.78)

No.86 Odette – Singapore

No.87 Per Se – New York, USA

No.88 Selfie – Moscow, Russia

No.89 Mingles – Seoul, Korea

No.90 Manresa – Los Gatos, USA

No.91 St. John – London, UK

No.92 Twins – Moscow, Russia

No.93 Le Chateaubriand – Paris, France

No.94 Kadeau – Copenhagen, Denmark

No.95 Quay – Sydney, Australia

No.96 Epicure – Paris, France

No.97 Sushi Saito – Tokyo, Japan

No.98 Hedone – London, UK

No.99 Florilège – Tokyo, Japan

No.100 Olympe – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Michelin 3* Restaurant DiverXo – Madrid, Spain,  disappears from the 51-100 list where, in 2016, it held position No.79. Has DiverXo entered the Top 50? We’ll let you know …

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017  No.1 – No.50 will be presented next week.  We already know that Quique Dacosta has left the Top 50,  falling from No.49 in 2016 to this years No.62, but what about the other Spanish superchefs in last years Top 50? Here’s a recap:

No.2 El Celler de Can Roca – Girona, Spain

No.7 Mugaritz – San Sebastian, Spain

No.10 Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain

No.16 Azurmendi – Larrabetzu, Spain

No.21 Arzak – San Sebastian, Spain

No.29 Tickets – Barcelona, Spain

 

All will be revealed on the 5th of April when we let you know the results of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List 2017!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2017
Bon Nadal i Feliç Any Nou 2017
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo 2017
Feliz Natal e Feliz Ano Novo 2017

happy-holidays-to-one-and-all

“Cheers!” from Spain :-)

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy & Prosperous New Year 2017!

With compliments of the festive season from Ursula, Joanne and the Gourmand Breaks team!

The Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2017 certainly sees Spain and Portugal shining  with Michelin Stars again!!

NEW for The Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2017 :

 1 NEW Michelin 3 Star Restaurant

7 NEW Michelin 2 Star Restaurants

22 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants

A total of  203 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal for 2017: 9 Michelin Three Star, 28 Michelin Two Star and 166 Michelin One Star.

Here’s the COMPLETE list for all Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal for 2017:

Michelin 3* Restaurants in Spain 2017

  • NEW: Lasarte (Barcelona)
  • El Celler de Can Roca, Joan Roca (Girona)
  • Arzak,  Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)
  • Akelarre, Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)
  • Martín Berasategui,  Martín Berasategui (Guipúzcoa)
  • Sant Pau,  Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona)
  • Diverxo, David Muñoz (Madrid)
  • Azurmendi, Eneko Atxa (Larrabetzu, Vizcaya)
  • Quique Dacosta, Quique Dacosta (Dénia, Alicante)

 

 

Michelin 2* Restaurants in Spain and Portugal for 2017 (NEW first and then by region)

  • NEW: L´Escaleta (Cocentaina, Alicante)
  • NEW: DSTAgE (Madrid)
  • NEW: Annua (San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria)
  • NEW: Cenador de Amós (Villaverde de Pontones, Cantabria)
  • NEW: BonAmb (Xàbia, Alicante)
  • NEW: Il Gallo d´Oro (Funchal, Madeira – Portugal)
  • NEW: The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto – Portugal)

 

ANDALUCÍA

  • Aponiente (Cádiz)
  • Dani García (Málaga)

 

BALEARIC ISLES

  • Zaranda (Mallorca)

 

CANARY ISLES

  • M.B. by Martín Berasategui (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

 

MADRID

  • Coque (Humanes, Madrid)
  • La Terraza del Casino (Madrid)
  • El Club Allard (Madrid)
  • Ramón Freixa (Madrid)
  • Santceloni (Madrid)

 

LA RIOJA

  • El Portal (La Rioja)

 

CATALONIA

  • Abac (Barcelona)
  • Miramar (Girona)
  • Les Cols (Girona)
  • Enoteca (Barcelona)
  • Moments (Barcelona)

 

BASQUE COUNTRY

  • Mugaritz (Guipuzcoa)

 

EXTREMADURA

  • Atrio (Cáceres)

 

ASTURIAS

  • Casa Marcial (Asturias)

 

PORTUGAL

  • Vila Joya (Albufeira, Portugal)
  • Ocean (Armaçao de Pêra, Portugal)
  • Belcanto (Lisboa, Portugal)

 

 

Michelin 1* Restaurants in Spain and Portugal 2017 (NEW first and then by region)

 

  • NEW: Céleri (Barcelona)
  • NEW: Xerta (Barcelona)
  • NEW: Ca l´Arpa (Banyoles)
  • NEW: La Boscana (Bellvís)
  • NEW: L´Antic Molí (Ulldecona)
  • NEW: A´Barra (Madrid)
  • NEW: Gaytán (Madrid)
  • NEW: El Invernadero (Collado Mediano, Madrid)
  • NEW: Raúl Resino (Benicarló)
  • NEW: Sents (Ontinyent)
  • NEW: Cobo Vintage (Burgos)
  • NEW: Noor (Córdoba)
  • NEW: Baluarte (Soria)
  • NEW: Adrián Quetglas (Palma)
  • NEW: Argos (Port de Pollença)
  • NEW: Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Leça da Palmeira, Portugal)
  • NEW: Alma (Lisboa, Portugal)
  • NEW: Loco (Lisboa, Portugal)
  • NEW: William (Madeira/Funchal, Portugal)
  • NEW: L´And Vineyards (Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal)
  • NEW: Antiqvvm (Porto, Portugal)
  • NEW: Lab by Sergi Arola (Sintra, Portugal)

 

ANDALUCÍA

  • Kabuki Raw (Casares, Málaga)
  • Sollo (Fuengirola, Málaga)
  • Messina (Marbella, Málaga)
  • Acanthum (Huelva)
  • José Carlos García (Málaga)
  • Choco (Córdoba)
  • El Lago (Marbella, Málaga)
  • La Costa (El Ejido, Almería)
  • Abantal (Sevilla)
  • Skina (Marbella, Málaga)
  • Alejandro (Almería)

 

ARAGÓN

  • La Prensa (Zaragoza)
  • Hospedería El Batán (Tramacastilla, Teruel)
  • Tatau Bistro (Huesca)
  • Lillas Pastia (Huesca)
  • Las Torres (Huesca)

 

ASTURIAS

  • El Corral del Indianu (Arriondas, Asturias)
  • Auga (Gijón)
  • La Salgar (Gijón)
  • El Retiro (Asturias)
  • Casa Gerardo (Prendes, Asturias)
  • Real Balneario (Salinas, Asturias)
  • Arbidel (Asturias)

 

BALEARIC ISLES

  • Can Dani (Formentera)
  • Jardín (Port d’Alcúdia, Mallorca)
  • Es Molí d’en Bou (Sa Coma, Mallorca)
  • Andreu Genestra (Mallorca)
  • Es Racó d’es Teix (Deiá, Mallorca)
  • Simply Fosh (Mallorca)
  • Es Fum (Palmanova, Mallorca)

 

CANARY ISLES

  • El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Los Gigantes, Tenerife)
  • Kabuki (Guía de Isora, Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
  • Kazan (Tenerife)

 

CANTABRIA

  • El Nuevo Molino (Puente Arce, Santander)
  • Solana (Ampuero, Cantabria)
  • El Serbal (Santander)

 

CASTILLA LA MANCHA

  • Tierra (Toledo)
  • El Bohío (Illescas, Toledo)
  • Maralba (Almansa, Albacete)
  • Las Rejas (Las Pedroñeras, Cuenca)
  • El Carmen de Montesión (Toledo)

 

CASTILLA + LEÓN

  • Villena (Segovia)
  • Refectorio (Valladolid)
  • La Lobita (Soria)
  • La Botica (Valladolid)
  • El Ermitaño (Benavente, Zamora)
  • Cocinandos (León)
  • Víctor Gutiérrez (Salamanca)

 

CATALONIA

  • Disfrutar (Barcelona)
  • Hoja Santa (Barcelona)
  • Tresmacarrons (El Masnou, Barcelona)
  • Emporium (Castelló d’Empuries, Girona)
  • Alkimia (Barcelona)
  • Caelis (Barcelona)
  • Cinc Sentits (Barcelona)
  • Dos Cielos (Barcelona)
  • Gaig (Barcelona
  • Hisop (Barcelona)
  • Hofmann (Barcelona)
  • Fonda Sala (Olost, Barcelona)
  • Moo (Barcelona)
  • Via Veneto (Barcelona)
  • Els Casals (Sagás, Barcelona)
  • L’Angle (Barcelona).
  • Capritx (Tarrasa, Barcelona)
  • Estany Clar (Cercs, Barcelona)
  • Can Jubany (Calldetenes, Barcelona)
  • La Cuina de San Simon (Tossa de Mar, Girona)
  • Ca L’Enric (La Val de Vianya, Girona)
  • Bo.Tic (Corsà, Girona)
  • Massana (Girona)
  • La Fonda Xesc (Gombrén, Girona)
  • Els Tinars Llagostera, Girona)
  • Torreo de L’India Xerta, Tarragona)
  • Rincón de Diego (Cambrils, Tarragona)
  • Can Bosch (Cambrils, Tarragona)
  • Les Magnòlies (Arbúcies, Girona)
  • Dos Palillos (Barcelona)
  • Koy Shunka (Barcelona)
  • Lluerna (Santa Coloma de Gramanet, Barcelona)
  • Nectari (Barcelona)
  • Pakta (Barcelona)
  • Fogony (Sort, Lleida)
  • Les Moles (Tarragona)
  • Tickets (Barcelona)
  • L’Ó (Sant Fruitós de Bages, Barcelona)
  • Casamar (Llafranc, Girona)
  • Els Brancs (Platja de Canyelles Petites, Girona)
  • Malena (Lleida)

 

GALICIA

  • Casa Marcelo (Santiago)
  • Nova (Ourense)
  • Yayo Daporta (Cambados, Pontevedra)
  • A Estación (Cambre, La Coruña)
  • Alborada (La Coruña)
  • As Garzas (Malpica de Bergantiños, La Coruña)
  • Retiro da Costiña (Santa Comba, La Coruña)
  • Árbore da Veira (A Coruña)
  • Solla (Poio, Pontevedra)
  • Pepe Vieira Camiño da Serpe (Raxo, Pontevedra)
  • Maruja Limón (Vigo)
  • Culler de Pau (Pontevedra)
  • Silabario (Tui, Pontevedra)

 

MADRID

  • Lúa (Madrid)
  • La Cabra (Madrid)
  • Álbora (Madrid)
  • Punto MX (Madrid)
  • Montia (Madrid)
  • Chirón (Valdemoro, Madrid)
  • Casa José  (Aranjuez, Madrid)
  • Kabuki (Madrid)
  • Kabuki Wellington (Madrid)

 

MURCIA

  • Cabaña Buenavista (Murcia)

 

NAVARRA

  • Europa (Pamplona)
  • Rodero (Pamplona)
  • El Molino de Urdániz (Urdaitz, Navarra)

 

BASQUE COUNTRY

  • Zarate (Bilbao)
  • Elkano (Guipúzcoa)
  • Boroa (Amorebieta, Vizcaya)
  • Etxebarri (Axpe, Vizcaya)
  • Etxanobe (Bilbao)
  • Nerua (Bilbao,Vizcaya)
  • Mina (Bilbao, Vizcaya)
  • Zortziko (Bilbao)
  • Kokotxa (San Sebastián)
  • Mirador de Ulía (San Sebastián)
  • Alameda (Fuenterrabía, Guipúzcoa)
  • Andra Mari (Galdácano, Vizcaya)
  • Zuberoa (Oyarzun, Guipúzcoa)
  • Zaldarián (Vitoria)
  • Marqués de Riscal (Elciego, Álava)

 

LA RIOJA

  • Venta Moncalvillo (Daroca de Rioja, La Rioja)

 

VALENCIAN COMMUNITY

  • Casa Manolo (Valencia)
  • Riff (Valencia)
  • Monastrell (Alacant)
  • La Sucursal (Valencia)
  • La Finca (Elche, Alicante)
  • El Poblet (Valencia)
  • Ricard Camarena (València)
  • Cal Paradís (Castelló)
  • Casa Pepa (Ondaira, Alicante)

 

PORTUGAL

  • São Gabriel (Almancil, Portugal)
  • Henrique Leis (Alamcil, Portugal)
  • Bon Bon (Carvoeiro, Portugal)
  • Willie´s (Quarteira, Portugal)
  • Fortaleza do Guincho (Cascais, Portugal)
  • Eleven (Lisboa, Portugal)
  • Feitoria (Lisboa, Portugal)
  • Largo do Paço (Amarante, Portugal)

Once upon a time a local man, named Francisco Ferreira, had a dream! He wanted to own his very own vineyard in the beautiful Douro Valley.

quinta-do-popa-view

Francisco, nicknamed Pôpa, was the illegitimate son of a wealthy winemaker and his veins were filled with the wine and soil of the Douro.

Pôpa worked hard and helped his mother on his father’s vineyard by carrying grape filled baskets to the old lagares (wine presses).  Pôpa was a simple soul but lived in sadness, hoping that one day his father would recognize him as his child.  All the while Francisco dreamed of owning his own estate and producing his own wine, a dream he never managed to fulfill in life.

In 2003, however, his son, José Ferreira, also known as Zeca do Pôpa, fulfilled the dream of his father, a dream that had also been passed on to him.

He started to put together smallholdings, common in the agricultural structure of northern Portugal, and acquire small plots of mostly old vineyards, as well as planting new vines and olive groves. The vines, being planted on the terraced hills above the magnificent Douro River, were blessed with a favorable climate and a high quality soil.

A true vineyard was formed, a vineyard in one of the best locations in the oldest recognized wine region of the world, and he named the vineyard in honor of his father, Quinta do Pôpa!

Built with both great economic effort and enthusiasm, the first harvest took place in 2007.

Today, Francisco’s grandchildren, Stéphane and Vanessa Ferreira, head the team at Quinta do Pôpa and keep the wheels turning with enthusiasm, charisma and commitment for producing signature wines in the family name.

 

The estate now occupies 30 hectares of land, 14 of which are vineyards. Both sophisticated techniques and traditional methods are used and despite the short number of years that Quinta do Pôpa has been active; this young estate has now established itself as a quality winemaker!

Red, White and Rosé wines are produced with love and precision and some innovative and special edition products will delight your senses such as:

QUINTA DO PÔPA HOMENAGEM: The tribute of tributes, named in honor of Francisco Ferreira! This powerful and robust red demonstrates good structure and complexity.

PÔPA TINTO DOCE:  The 1st Sweet Red Wine from the Douro which is a tribute to the women of the Pôpa Family.

PÔPA VV:  made exclusively out of the old vines, aged over 80 years, and trodden by foot, this complex red wine is simply called VV, for Vinhas Velhas (old vines).

A fascinating history, warm welcome, fantastic views and great wines await you at Quinta do Pôpa!

We will be delighted to include a visit to Quinta do Pôpa for you in your private customized tour itinerary or in any of our sample itineraries that take in the beautiful Douro Valley, Portugal.

Douro Valley, Portugal

  • The Douro Valley is Port Wine Country
  • The region is located in the North of Portugal
  • The Douro “vinhateiro” winegrowing area of the Douro Valley is a designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Port and DOC Douro wines are made only with native grape varieties.
  • Authentic port is made at ‘quintas’ (estates) along a narrow river gorge that winds 100 miles through the mountain ranges
  • There are over 200 Quintas in the Douro Valley
  • Port Wine produced in the Douro Valley was once shipped downriver to the city of Porto in sailboats called ‘barcos rabelos’
  • The terraces of vines in the Douro Valley were introduced by the Romans in the third century A.D
  • Spring and fall are mild, with daytime temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees
  • The grape harvest season starts in September
  • The valley was the first demarcated wine-producing region in the world established in 1756
  • The River Douro rises in Spain and flows across Northern Portugal reaching the sea at Oporto

 

More about Portugal:

Some fascinating facts about Portugal

Fascinating Facts about Lisbon

Fascinating Facts about Porto

port_16x9

 

Visit the beautiful Douro Valley and more in Portugal on one of our private Portuguese Culture, Food and Wine Tours to see the wonderful vineyards and fascinating culture of this country, taste port wine, local foods and much, much more!

Huge congratulations to the Spanish Restaurants who yet again feature strongly in the World’s Best Restaurants List. Occupying 10% of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List, half of them climbed positions and half fell, but all 10 Spanish restaurants maintain their status in the Top 100 Restaurants of the World 2016 (7 in the Top 50, of which 3 are in the Top 10).

Portugal,  last year, had 2 entries in the 51-100 List but for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List just one stays. Congratulations to Belcanto in Lisbon, slowly but surely establishing its gastronomic offering by climbing up the charts.

worlds 50 best restaurants 2016

Here’s a look at the Spanish and Portuguese movers and shakers in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List:

Nº 2 – El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain, falls from Nº 1 to Nº 2 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 7 – Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain, falls from Nº 6 to Nº7 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 10 – Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain, climbs from Nº 13 to Nº 10 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 16 – Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain, climbs from Nº 19 to Nº 16 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 21 – Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain, falls from Nº 17 to Nº21 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 29 – Tickets, Barcelona, Spain, climbs from Nº 42 to Nº29 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 49 – Quique Dacosta, Denia, Spain, falls from Nº 39 to Nº49 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 55 – Nerua, Bilbao, Spain, climbs from Nº 68 to Nº55 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 59 – Martín Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain, climbs from Nº 61 to Nº 59 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 78 – Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal, climbs from Nº 91 to Nº 78 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 79 – DiverXO, Madrid, Spain, falls from Nº 59 to Nº 79 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

N/A – Vila Joya, Albufeira, Portugal, disappears from the list where last year it was at nº 98

 

Here are the COMPLETE Lists for the World’s Best Restaurants 2016:

1 – 50 World’s Best 50 Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

51 – 100 World’s Best Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

 

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, the awards ceremony was presented from The Cipriani Wall Street in New York, USA, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings (the first list was published in 2002) in England, from London!

Next year, for 2017, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony will be heading to Melbourne, Australia!!!

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal.  Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.