Saturday 7 November 2020

MELGAÇO (PORTUGAL)

 
MELGAÇO
 N 42.113181; W 8.259659

Melgaço is a Portuguese village in the district of Viana do Castelo, in the North and in the Alto Minho sub-region.
It is the seat of a municipality with an area of ​​238.25 km² and 9 213 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 13 parishes. The municipality is limited to the north and east by the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain, to the southwest by the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, and to the west by Monção. It is the northernmost municipality in the country.
Also noteworthy are the numerous Roman bridges throughout the county, Celts (instead of Ports), monuments and megalithic alignments, medieval fortifications, such as the Castle of Melgaço and the Castle of Castro Laboreiro, as well as several manor houses, Romanesque churches, the park thermal spa, museums and walking or cycling trails, in addition to the county's natural fauna and flora, safeguarded by the Peneda-Gerês National Park, in Lamas de Mouro.
In the Melgaço economy, tobacco production and, essentially, wine production stand out, especially sparkling wines and Melgaço Alvarinho wine.
There are about 30 wine producers in the municipality who launch an annual average of 150 thousand bottles of sparkling wine on the market. The sparkling wine of Melgaço is a fine cord wine, creamy mousse, acidity on the spot and a great gastronomic harmony, and most sparkling wines are made from the Alvarinho variety, but also with some versions of rosé and red wine.