Bairrada (Coimbra) april 13-17

[Rummy]

Dear members,

My colleagues and I (a group of 16) will be visiting the University of Coimbra as part of an educational field trip. While the flights are currently being arranged, I expect we will have one or two days of leisure time during our stay.

I was wondering whether any members could recommend worthwhile (wine related?) places to visit in or around Coimbra.

Our group consists of agricultural teachers with a focus on livestock farming, trips to livestock farms however are covered.

Any input is welcome, thank you in advance!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Apart from the obvious short rail journey to Vila Nova de Gaia, there’s nothing that occurs to me.

But, having said that, there are a fair number of farmers in the Douro who are trying to follow the principals of regenerative farming.

You might be able to tie up a loose study / fun visit to talk to someone like Oscar about his use of sheep to graze the weeds between vines and horses to plough the vineyards while also adding to the complex microbiology of the soils he farms.

[MigSU]

Dear members,

My colleagues and I (a group of 16) will be visiting the University of Coimbra as part of an educational field trip. While the flights are currently being arranged, I expect we will have one or two days of leisure time during our stay.

I was wondering whether any members could recommend worthwhile (wine related?) places to visit in or around Coimbra.

Our group consists of agricultural teachers with a focus on livestock farming, trips to livestock farms however are covered.

Any input is welcome, thank you in advance!

Well, you're in the prime region for roasted suckling pig, so you could always do something around that subject (including eating some).

Other than that, and as the title already suggests, you're in the Bairrada region, so there are several quite good wine producers you can visit, particularly around the Sangalhos municipality. It's a bit of a trek (about 40mins), but if you have a free day you can hit half a dozen top producers (plus, the town of Fogueira, near Sangalhos, has what might very well be the best suckling pig restaurant - Mugasa - and one of the best Portuguese wine producers - Quinta das Bágeiras).

[Rummy]

Might be hard to convince my colleagues to take a trip to the Douro valley, most of my colleagues aren't as much into wine as I am; and (roasted) pig might be on the agenda already. I think Bágeiras is a fine suggestion, I do enjoy their wines and will look into the possibility to visit their winery. The Bussaco palace hotel isn't too far either; I recently had their white reservado and was well impressed, anyone familiar with potential wine tours there without spending the night?

[MigSU]

Yes, Bussaco is a good idea, and their wines are very good.