Wine shop Quinta do Noval - Gaia — Restaurant in Vila Nova de Gaia

I've had the privilege of gracing my palate with an array of exquisite wines, but few have left an impression quite like the Quinta do Noval Fine Ruby and Tawny Reserve Ports. These two gems, hailing from the esteemed Douro Valley in Portugal, embody the epitome of Port wine excellence, each offering a unique symphony of flavors that will captivate even the most discerning connoisseur.

Quinta do Noval Fine Ruby Port: This ruby-hued beauty bursts onto the palate with an exuberant youthful exuberance, reminiscent of sun-kissed blackberries and a touch of lively spice. Its vivacious spirit dances across the tongue, intertwining with notes of juicy red cherries and a hint of captivating plum. As it lingers on the finish, a subtle whisper of vanilla emerges, adding a touch of elegance to this captivating concerto.

Quinta do Noval Tawny Reserve Port: In contrast to its ruby counterpart, the Tawny Reserve exudes a sense of refined maturity. Its amber hue hints at the treasures it holds within, and indeed, upon first sip, a symphony of aged complexity unfolds. Notes of dried apricots, caramelized orange peel, and a touch of nutty warmth envelop the palate, their harmonious blend reminiscent of an autumnal stroll through an orchard.

A Tale of Two Styles: The Fine Ruby and Tawny Reserve Ports represent two distinct chapters in the Quinta do Noval story. The Fine Ruby, with its youthful exuberance, captures the essence of a young vine's vitality, while the Tawny Reserve, with its refined elegance, embodies the culmination of years of patient aging. Yet, despite their stylistic differences, both wines share a common thread: the unwavering dedication to quality that has made Quinta do Noval a beacon of excellence in the world of Port wine.

Conclusion: Whether you savor the vivacious energy of the Fine Ruby or the refined grace of the Tawny Reserve, Quinta do Noval Port offers an unparalleled journey into the heart of Portugal's winemaking heritage. These are not merely wines; they are testaments to the art of craftsmanship and the pursuit of excellence, each sip a testament to the passion and dedication that lie at the core of...

We stopped in for the good selection of flights and reasonable prices. My boyfriend and I are amateurs with port wines, and enjoyed the varieties they had to offer. They don’t have (much?) food selection, but included a few complementary crackers with a flight. We opted to create our own flight by ordering glasses of 5 wines, which totaled 17€. If you get the cheapest tasting flight, it comes with a pricier vintage, at around 21€.

Cons: Service was VERY spotty. The waiters were nice enough but very disorganized. Larger parties (all more than 4 people) got served quickly while smaller parties(2 ppl, including ourselves) took a very long time to serve. We weren’t really in a rush, but the very slow service was noticeable. For the whole ordeal, we spent about 1.5 hrs, 45 min of which was spent waiting for the wines. It took about 20 min to get noticed after asking for a menu, another 5 min to get a menu, 15 min to order, and 15 min until pour. In that span of time, 2 tables got such poor service that they got up and left. At the same time, other tables that arrived after us ordered and were served before we got our own wines. Either this place needs to remove some tables, or add some waiters, because they cannot handle the number of parties that sit down at a given time. This place has notably poor service and is losing a great deal of business with its poor service and could do with major restructuring...

Was okay. Ordered one thing but received another. The waitress refuted this ever happening even though the wine was completely different name and class. She left me with the wine I didn’t ask for. Went to manager, manager made it awkward questioning waitress in front of me, clearly annoyed that I had even come to her. Was charged initial wine ordering that was a lesser cost than the wine I had intended to purchase. Offered to pay the difference but they instead came to grab the original wine from my table and discuss the exchange in the back. All I wanted was to change wines and pay price difference. Ultimately my waitress brought me the wine I originally asked for and advised me to order more carefully next time…. Using the terms that only applied to the wine I wanted initially (as per the menu). Wine was still good. Atmosphere great. Cheese plate messy...