The Taste of Stone

Six wines from different producers, poured in a casual, convivial setting in Porto. Fred invites you into the world of Northern Portuguese wine, and as the name says, you explore how minerality, climate, grapes and connection with the land shape a wine's identity. Northern Portugal is a good place to learn this because the bedrock changes so sharply. Vinho Verde grows on granite. Cross the Douro river and you are on schist. Elsewhere there is clay — Bairrada takes its name from the Portuguese word for it. An hour or two apart, and the wines are recognizably different. In some of the oldest Douro vineyards a dozen varieties grow side by side — which influences the blends. Fred’s point is that each decision by the winemaker either lets a wine's origin come through in the glass or covers it over. The last glass comes without a label — a chance to test what you picked up about identifying the signature of a wine. Whatever is left in the bottles after the tasting is yours to take.

This wine tasting session is private — just you and your companions exploring how a glass of wine is a record of a piece of soil, a grape that suits it, a season's weather and a winemaker’s vision. Fred speaks from experience — it's a rare pleasure to sit through a tasting with someone who is both a sommelier and a winemaker and has spent years working on Douro harvests. The wines are from small producers — much of the preparation for this experience is Fred picking bottles that help tell the story while ensuring they're genuinely good in their own right. He also values the conversation and interaction, and would rather you challenged perceptions, asked questions, and trusted your senses than just listened for the "right" answer. You leave with practical knowledge: a clearer sense of what wine you like, and some idea of what to expect from a bottle when you see it on a restaurant winelist. If you enjoy wine, this is an experience that will enhance the rest of your stay in Portugal.

Frédérick is a Canadian wine educator and winemaker based in Porto. His fascination with wine began with a glass of Vintage Port early in life — an encounter that changed the course of his career. He has since spent nearly three decades immersed in Portuguese wine, working Douro harvests, making his own wines, and collaborating with Portuguese producers. For years, he also represented Portuguese wineries in Canada and led masterclasses and tastings that introduced thousands of people to wines they had never encountered before. Passionate about making Portuguese wine accessible, Frédérick combines deep expertise with an engaging, conversational style that welcomes both first-time tasters and seasoned enthusiasts. His goal is to help you understand, appreciate, and confidently enjoy Portugal’s wines long after the experience ends.

Nothing but curiosity. The tasting suits complete beginners and people who already know a good deal, and Fred adjusts to whoever is in the room.