Wine, Wine, Wine

This morning was cool with fog/mist.  Maria met us with the bus and drove us a half hour to the Avaleda Winery which has been owned by the same family for over 300 years.  We started by walking UP through a 25 acre garden.  The garden was at its height of glory with many blooming plants: azaleas, cherry trees, bridal wreath, rhododendrons, etc. There was a small pen of pygmy goats, a pond with two large white swans protecting their nest, and noisy peacocks on the roofs. Our guide had worked there for 31 years and knew many interesting details.  We tasted their famous green  (young white) wine which tastes similar to Pinot Grigio with hints of lemon.  Also tasted a rose wine.  Back to the bus and the short drive back to the boat.  We left after 1:00 pm.  About an hour later we passed through the deepest lock in Europe.  It is 114 feet deep and built between 1964 and 1971.  The dam provides power and flood control to the area.  The afternoon was sunny and a wonderful day to sit on the upper deck and watch the terraced countryside slide by. We docked at Regua and immediately walked (climbed) to the Duoro Museum (four flights of steps outside and three flights inside).  Enjoyed a lecture on the wine industry of the Duoro Valley.  Of course, we had to taste a red wine which Chuck pronounced, ‘very good.’  Time to return to the ship and dinner.
P. S. No pastries, just wine.