FIRST JOURNEYS - EUROPEAN EXPEDITION- PIN 05 OF 40
COBALTO CO-17 - Portugal
A ROAD TRIP WHERE EVERY STOP HAS A STORY
Today I've crossed into Portugal and arrived in the spectacular Douro Valley—although if I'm being completely honest, the promise of a warm pastel de nata may have influenced my route!
The Douro is one of Europe's most breathtaking wine regions. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its steep terraced vineyards have been carved into the schist hillsides for centuries, creating a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. It was also the world's first officially demarcated wine region, established in 1756, long before Bordeaux or Champagne received similar protection.
This is home to Cobalto Co-17 Gin, a distillery inspired as much by its surroundings as the spirit it creates.
Should you ever find yourself in the Douro, an afternoon at the distillery comes highly recommended. As the sun begins to set, the river and surrounding mountains seem to melt into one another, awash with deep shades of blue. It's this magical moment that inspired both the name and colour of Cobalto.
Although Porto is regarded as the spiritual home of Port wine, every bottle begins its journey here among the vineyards of the Douro before traditionally making its way downstream. For centuries, barrels travelled aboard colourful rabelo boats to the ageing lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, where many of Portugal's famous Port houses still mature their wines today.
For today's cocktail I've paired Cobalto with another regional icon—White Port.
Produced from a blend of white grape varieties, White Port ranges from rich and sweet to wonderfully crisp and dry. The drier styles are particularly versatile in cocktails, adding depth, freshness and complexity while lowering the overall alcohol content. Taylor's pioneered the style with its famous Chip Dry in 1934, blending carefully selected white Ports, predominantly from the Malvasia Fina grape.
The result is delicate and aromatic with bright fruit, lively acidity and a satisfyingly dry finish.
Steep vineyards, winding rivers and centuries of winemaking tradition make Portugal's Douro Valley the perfect place to explore a gin inspired by one of Europe's most iconic landscapes.
Portuguese Martini
- 50ml Cobalto Co-17 Gin
- 25ml Dry White Port
- Dash of orange bitters
Stir over ice until well chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
A simple twist on the classic Martini, but one that feels perfectly at home in Portugal.
"Show me a bottle and I’ll tell you a story."