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River cruise wine guide
Wine Guide to the Douro River Cruise
Curated by Michele Edington, Certified Sommelier
The Douro winds through Portugal and Spain, and for wine lovers it's one of Europe's great cruising routes. Along the way you'll pass 5 wine stops across regions like Douro Valley, where the glasses fill with grapes such as Rabigato, Touriga Nacional, Viosinho, Touriga Franca and Malvasia Fina. Here's what to drink at each stop.
The full guide
Everything to drink on the Douro, in your pocket
For travelers sailing Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Tauck, or Uniworld-style Douro cruises.
- ✓What to drink — and the must-try bottle
- ✓Local food & cheese pairings
- ✓Nearby vineyards & winery picks
- ✓What to bring home
- ✓Cruise timing & shore-excursion tips
- ✓Download the whole guide — no ship Wi-Fi needed
Wine regions along the way
Stops along the Douro
1Touriga NacionalTouriga FrancaTinta RorizTinta Barroca
2Touriga NacionalTouriga FrancaTinta RorizTinta Barroca
3Touriga NacionalTouriga FrancaTinta RorizTinta Barroca
4Touriga NacionalTouriga FrancaTinta RorizTinta Barroca
5Touriga NacionalTouriga FrancaTinta RorizTinta Barroca
6RufeteRufete BlancoTempranilloAragonés
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Common questions
- What wine should I drink on a Douro river cruise?
- A Douro cruise passes through Douro Valley, so expect wines from grapes like Rabigato, Touriga Nacional, Viosinho, Touriga Franca and Malvasia Fina. Each stop guide lists the must-try bottle and food pairings.
- Which towns are the best wine stops on the Douro?
- Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Peso da Régua, Pinhão and Barca d'Alva are the wine-focused stops along the Douro.
- How many stops are on a Douro river cruise?
- This guide covers 6 stops along the Douro, 5 of them in a wine region.