The birthplace of Port: A journey to the Douro Valley

DW (English)

Portugal's Douro Valley is one of Europe's oldest wine-growing regions. Grapes for the world-famous Port have been grown here for more than 2000 years.

Transcript

00:00The Douro River flows through a deep valley in northern Portugal.

00:06Alto Douro is the world's oldest protected wine-growing region

00:10and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

00:13Only grapes grown here can be made into port wine.

00:17The Quevedu family's winery is nestled in the heart of the Douro Valley.

00:21Claudia Quevedu leads the operation, and while women are still a minority in this industry,

00:32their numbers are steadily growing.

00:34Every June, Claudia personally inspects the vines.

00:42I'm trimming out these bits that are growing at the bottom of the vines.

00:46These shoots are useless and rob the plant of nutrients.

00:50Because the summers here are so hot and dry, and we hardly have any water,

00:55we have to remove them.

00:57The top of the plant needs all the nutrients.

01:07This is Toriga Nacional, with the small grapes.

01:12They're very good, and they're essential to the quality of port.

01:17Both red and white wine grapes grow here in the 110 hectare vineyard.

01:26The hot summers are especially suited to full-bodied port wine.

01:32Claudia has been in charge of the port for two decades.

01:35It is aged in large walnut barrels in the cellars, some for as long as 40 years.

01:40She inspects the color, aroma, and taste almost daily.

01:44For port wine, the fermentation is stopped by adding high-proof alcohol.

01:49Timing is crucial for the sugar content and the bouquet.

01:52Today, Claudia is expecting an apprentice.

01:55She wants to pass on her knowledge and inspire more women to take up her profession.

01:59Marie Chatignan, from France, recently visited the winery and decided to join the team.

02:06Hi, Marie.

02:07Hi.

02:08Nice to see you again.

02:10Wow, Marie's a lot of bags.

02:14I'm really happy that Marie is here to help.

02:21She'll be very important in the coming months.

02:26First, she shows Marie around.

02:29There is plenty to do.

02:31The winery produces 750,000 bottles of port and 150,000 bottles of red and white wine annually.

02:40For the last few years, another woman has been working in the family business.

02:44Teresa Batista is in charge of the red and white wines.

02:51It is Marie.

02:52Hello, Marie.

02:53She helps.

02:54Welcome.

02:55You come to help me.

02:57Hello.

02:58I need help.

03:00I need help.

03:03Like Claudia, Teresa studied winemaking, including chemical analysis.

03:10Together, they want to break new ground at the winery and develop new varietals.

03:17I think women put more of themselves into the work, just a little bit more feeling.

03:31As evening approaches, another family member, Oscar Cavedu, comes to inspect the vines.

03:37He still helps out, although he has turned over management of the family business to his daughter.

03:41Look, this one is already turning color.

03:52Here is another one.

03:54I am very proud that Claudia decided on her own to become a vintner.

03:59She must have sensed my deepest wish without realizing it.

04:04I would never have dared to ask her.

04:08I hope that my children will continue the tradition that my grandparents began.

04:11Of course, the children already are.

04:17But I hope my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will, too.

04:21This landscape is wonderful.

04:26I never stop looking at the majestic Douro.

04:29The river and the grapevines make this the most beautiful place in the world.

04:37My little piece of heaven on earth.

04:41Completely. This is the paradise.

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