Review: Graham’s Port Tour, Porto, Portugal
A visit to Porto would not be complete without a visit to one of the numerous tasting rooms in the area. The problem is that with dozens to choose from, how do you know which one to choose? You ask your hotel front desk employee, of course!
SPG Platinum Benefit
One of the unknown benefits of the Sheraton Porto hotel, that you’ll only get if you ask for, is a free tour of the Graham’s tasting room. The Sheraton has an agreement for free tours! Just ask the front desk to call Graham’s and schedule your tour. Most time slots have availability, so just pick the one you want and go.
Graham’s Port Tasting
We had rental car so we headed across the bridge for the 8 minute drive from the Sheraton to the tasting room. Once we arrived we let them know we were guests of the Sheraton hotel and had a reservation. They pulled us up in their computer and gave us our tickets. It wasn’t just the basic tour, it was the premium tour! Considering that these tours have a price tag of 17 euros each, this represented an amazing saving as a benefit from the hotel.
Graham’s Port Tasting
Graham’s Porto Menu
The Tour
The tour starts with a quick 10 minute intro video that describes the history of the Graham’s family. Shortly after you’re led down many stairs into the cellar, coming face to face with thousands of oak barrels of port wine. The termperature dropped 15 degrees and you could smell the port in the air. Come to think of it, it could have been just dank musty mold, but I’m gonna be positive and hope that it was the smell of port.
Graham’s Port Tasting
Graham’s Port Tasting Cellar
Forgive the lack of photos IN the actual caller, but it’s a freaking cellar. Light isn’t something they want a lot of, which means photos are a pain.
After a great tour, you’re emptied into the tasting room. About 12 tables were set up, but we were directed to the special section at the front with the best view of the city. There were deep, comfortable couches and massive windows that gave views of the bridge, the water, and all of the life that Porto has to offer. Yet another perk of the premium tour, thanks Sheraton!
Graham’s Port Tasting
Graham’s Port Tasting
We tasted the three ports (we ended up buying the 10 year port, the best in our opinion) and asked for a sample of a fourth port. They were happy to oblige, of course… we were platinum guests after all ☺.
Graham’s Port Tasting
Platinum Benefit
Talk about an awesome benefit! I wish the Sheraton would announce that they have this benefit. On the other hand, I’m really glad that they don’t. I’d be afraid that too many people would take advantage of the benefit and they’d lose it, so consider yourself lucky that you read it here first!
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