Dear readers, here is to you: Cheers with a Smart Wine Glass! “Smart Wine Glass”? Have I had one too many Port wines here in Portugal recently … ? That might be true, yes. But I am talking seriously now. There is such a thing as a “smart wine glass”. And if, like me, you are wondering what on Earth that might be, have a look, take a sip and join me on this journey of joyful discovery through the wines of Portugal …
… spearheaded by “Chief Wine Evangelist” André Ribeirinho. Him & his entire Adegga WineMarket team are some of the wittiest #winelover event organizers I have ever met in my whole life. They successfully pair state-of-the-art communication technologies with unique wine tasting opportunities: A must-see event!
Ever since attending last year’s Digital Wine Communications Conference #DWCC14 in Montreux, Switzerland, I have been intrigued by André’s passion and enthusiasm for organizing unique #winelover events under the brand name “Adegga WineMarket“. “Next time you are in Portugal, please join our event”, I remember him smiling, clearly intrigued by my own passion for “winesome” travel adventures around the world. Luckily for us, Portugal has decided to host the international World Food Tourism Summit earlier this year, beckoning me to travel to Portugal once more. As if I needed many reasons to go, #Winelover #Foodlover #Portugallover that I am … 😀
Starting off my “Adegga WineMarket” experience in the city of Porto with a close look at the so-called “Smart Wine Glass”, a glass that incorporates a micro-chip registering your preferred wine tastings …
… I do soon find the two worlds of digital natives & #winelover connoisseurs at “Adegga WineMarket” combined.
Adegga WineMarket essentially aims at “making people meet”, at forging new friendships among #winelovers and winemakers, and emphasizes the social element in tasting & deciding your individual wine preferences.
A great storytelling event …
… that has you meet “the real people” behind the (wine production) scenes.
Of course, I am not here “alone”: Dear Rita Branco, my friend & fellow blogger-in-residence for the city of Porto (“O Porto Encanta“!) is here with me, too …
… as well as dear Ricardo, the event photographer with a twist: His wine event photography is a true inspiration for a happy travel photographer like myself.
By the end of the first hour at Adegga WineMarket, I feel “gregariously good” – splendid from all the succulent tasting opportunities. Luckily, the “Smart Wine Glass” is there to remember it all for me …!
“Clever”, I am thinking, observing André swooshing by, nodding at Rita & me with a wink. The “Smart Wine Glass” is there to save us all. In the midst of all the many interesting conversations with the actual wine growers from Douro valley & other wine growing districts around Portugal, I guess it is only natural to arrive at this one luxury thought at some stage:
“Wait a minute: Which of those wines did I actually like the most now?!”
So mine, as well as the Adegga WineMarket advice, is this: Relax a minute. Take a sip. Enjoy that wine. Pass it over your tongue as well as that “Smart Wine Glass” over the digital reader. And off you go, knowing the system has registered your individual preference and will email you further information about your specific tasting, completely tailored to … YOU. So now, the only thing Rita and I both have to remember, is which wines we did actually like best … ?
Hard if you are still headed for the “Premium Room” #Winelover Headquarters …
Passing the “Smart Wine Glass” …
… and heading “up, up and away” for more (VIP!) fun and entertainment …
… there is a warm welcome here in the exclusivity of “true #winelover” fans and connoisseurs …
… as well as in the amazing sunset views over the city of Porto …
… proudly welcoming me back: Adegga WineMarket Porto 2015 celebration time it is !
Top tasting opportunities to be found here …
… all the way to tasting a Port wine from the year 1910, well over 100 years old … AMAZINGLY INTENSE flavours and aromas, let alone the thought of being offered to taste this unique, time-travelled treasure.
Thank you so much, dear André Ribeirinho & team, for making it all happen for us …
… and in case you are wondering what meal to enjoy after all these beautiful wines have gone to your head “ever so slightly”: Porto has an answer to that. It is called “little French girl” (FRANCESINHA), but does not taste quite as lightly as it sounds …
… we love our Francesinha typical Porto sandwich anyway, filled with all things calories you can only imagine. Once (or twice) in a lifetime, I guess it is OK to have though …! Must make a mental note of going jogging once more after that!
Last but not least, I do hope that by now you are reading this post with a glass of wine in your own hand, perhaps even drooling over your device and therefore ready to be served one last piece of information & inspiration: The charming Adegga WineMarket video.! Sit back, relax and enjoy as 2015 will see more Adegga WineMarkets appear in the cities of Lisbon, Stockholm, Berlin as well as the Algarve region – a perfect #winelover travel opportunity. See you there I hope! 😀
Disclaimer: I have been invited by the Adegga WineMarket Team to join their Adegga WineMarket Porto 2015. All opinions are my own.