Two distinct fortified-wine cultures
Port (Portugal, Douro Valley grapes, Vila Nova de Gaia lodges) and sherry (Spain, Andalusian albariza-soil grapes, Jerez bodegas) are completely separate traditions despite both being fortified. Each city below specializes in one.
Porto — Vila Nova de Gaia lodges
Porto lodge tours at Sandeman, Taylor's, Graham's, Croft, Cockburn, Calem — across the Douro from central Porto. 60-minute tours €15–25 with 2–4 wine flight. Combined-tour passes (€40–60 for 3 lodges) save money. Tonel (Royal Society) wood-aged tawnies the highlight pours.
Douro Valley
Day-trips upstream to Régua, Pinhão, and producers in the Douro Valley itself — visiting where grapes grow. Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Pôpa, Quinta dos Murças. Train along Douro photogenic; or drive (very winding).
Jerez de la Frontera — sherry
Jerez is the sherry city. González Byass (Tio Pepe), Domecq, Sandeman, Lustau bodegas. Sherry styles — fino, manzanilla, oloroso, Pedro Ximénez — each different. Bodega tours €15–35. Day-trip from Sevilla (1h train) or weekend stay.
Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Coastal Andalusian town producing manzanilla (driest, palest sherry, made only here). Barbadillo, La Cigarrera bodegas. Combined with Jerez for proper Sherry Triangle weekend.
Sevilla
Sevilla sherry-bar culture (Casa Morales, El Rinconcillo, Bodega Santa Cruz). Drink sherry by the glass €2–4 in classic tabernas. Less production tour, more drinking ritual. Day-trip Jerez easy.
Strategy
Book Porto lodge tours 1–2 days ahead summer. Sherry bodegas often closed Mondays. Sherry tasting flights at €20–40 fly through 4 styles fast — eat tapas alongside. Cruise port wine ages best 5–10 years; tawnies 10–40+ years.