1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

Some PinJiao Quintas—An Upper Pouro Village. 63

subdued astringency participated somewhat of the character of both Burgundy and Bordeaux. It certainly possessed none of the characteristics ofPort. There are several good quintas in the valley of the Pinhao, near Noval, and in the vicinity of the pictui'esque village of VaUe de Mendiz,which,planted on the spur of a hiU,stands out sharply from the distant vine-clad slopes. The high road winds midway up the mountain in the direction of the distant village of Alijo,one ofthe most northern points of the Paiz Vinhateiro, as the wine-producing district of the Upper Douro is called. Branching off from it near Yalle de Mendiz, we stiU follow the course of the Pinhao over a rough bullock-trach:, with vineyards

and olive-groves on either side. Groups of girls, not only engaged in gathering the grapes, but in carrying weighty basketsful of them to the lagares, are fi-equently encountered as