1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

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In the Port Wine Countnj.

opposite bank of the Douro,where the hills present a series of gently-rounded buttresses horizontally scored with terraces of vines. Just across, but somewhat higher up the river, the white-walled casas and chapel of Eoriz—which is the name of a particular quinta, as well as of a considerable district—gleam conspicuously amid the varied foliage of vines, olive-trees, and cypresses, and by their number and dimensions assume almost the appearance of a little hamlet. At the close of the last century not a vine was to be seen here; the ground lay uncul tivated and covered with bushes and brushwood—the lair of the wolfand the wild boar, which used to swim the Douro and make havoc among the grape-laden vines on the opposite bank. The story goes that at the time when extensive plantations of vines were being made above the line of the Corgo there arrived a Scotch gentleman named Eobert Archibald, passionately fond of field sports. He found the savage wilds and rugged steeps of the Douro well suited to his tastes ; and his sporting expedi tions having carried him to Eoriz, he built there a small shooting-box. After a time, perceiving that the situation was well adapted to the plantation of a vineyard, he rented a large tract of the surrounding land, belonging to a Commandery ofthe Order of Christ; and thus originated the present Quinta do Eoriz. This quinta is now more than 170 acres in extent, but its produce does not exceed 100 pipes of wine, of a high quality, however, and fine deep colour. It is worthy of remark that the predominant species of vine in this quinta is the tinta francisca,imported by Mr. Archibald from Prance,and thought to be identical with the pineau noir of Burgundy. Prom the Quinta da Eomaneira we proceeded to that of Eoeda,the property of Senhor Pladgate,Barao da Eoeda, and taking its name,like other quintas,from one of the rapids in the Dom'o—arapid to which the nameof Arrueda has been given &om the noise made by the water rushing over a bank of loose stones and pebbles. There is a current local saying to the effect that if the wine country were a ring Eoeda would be its diamond,for the quinta enjoys one of the finest aspects in the