There is one thing that you must know... Don travels, completely, on his stomach. He is inspired by regional cooking, upcoming chefs, unusual food products, restaurants (both famous and local), farms, etc. You might call us "foodies," but that would mean that we're experts at food and wine. We're not. We're just open and interested in exploring anything food and wine related.
So, as a preface to our journey to Spain and Portugal, I must tell you that much of this trip has been inspired by other people's experience with various local cuisines along the way.
For example, we are going to Portugal mostly as a result of an article I read last year about the pork restaurants in a little town called Mealhada, in central Portugal.
Along the way, we intend to check out Finca de Ceja, a pig farm famous for their Black Suckling Pig.
We will visit Oporto so that we can learn about the craft of Port Wine from some of the best producers in the world.
We're driving down through the Alentejo, one of Portugal's biggest and most producting wine regions to check out a real up-and-comer, David Baverstock at Esporão, who also consults for a number of estates in the Douro (a northern Portugal wine region). (We've also heard that they have a wonderful restaurant - we'll let you know).
And finally, we'll be spending a week or two with our great friends Roger and Suzanne Curwin, great gourmands in their own right.
We'll keep you posted!
So, as a preface to our journey to Spain and Portugal, I must tell you that much of this trip has been inspired by other people's experience with various local cuisines along the way.
For example, we are going to Portugal mostly as a result of an article I read last year about the pork restaurants in a little town called Mealhada, in central Portugal.
Along the way, we intend to check out Finca de Ceja, a pig farm famous for their Black Suckling Pig.
We will visit Oporto so that we can learn about the craft of Port Wine from some of the best producers in the world.
We're driving down through the Alentejo, one of Portugal's biggest and most producting wine regions to check out a real up-and-comer, David Baverstock at Esporão, who also consults for a number of estates in the Douro (a northern Portugal wine region). (We've also heard that they have a wonderful restaurant - we'll let you know).
And finally, we'll be spending a week or two with our great friends Roger and Suzanne Curwin, great gourmands in their own right.
We'll keep you posted!
