Today Pegman took us to Duoro Valley, Portugal. Thanks, Josh and Karen, for using my suggestion. A friend of mine is traveling in Portugal and I fell in love with her pictures. Now Portugal is on my bucket list. In researching what people do for a living in this region, I discovered the history of Port wine and this delightful picture. That’s how our Beatriz was born. But, like the person listening to the story, I’m skeptical that Bea came up with the idea. On the other hand …
I’ve added a link to the end of my story if you are interested in the history of Port.
Beatriz came up with the idea.
What? You say a woman could never think of such a thing. Pffft, you know nothing!
Now, let me tell my tale. The sale of wine was failing.
Why? You may ask. Because the wine spoiled before it arrived down river.
No one likes to open a keg of vinegar when they expect fine wine.
The village was slowly dying. Young people left. No one remained to pick the grapes.
What? No. Seventy-year-old people are meant to rest. Not harvest under the blazing sun. Quiet!
So, our Bea came up with the idea of adding brandy . . .
What now? How did she think if it? I should know this?
Anyway, merchants began to call our wine Vinho do Porto.
Yes, yes. Today it is called Port but it should be called Vinho do Beatriz for it was that clever girl who saved our village.
http://www.fonseca.pt/en/vineyards/douro-valley/history/
150-words
Love this, Lish! And I saw this very same picture and almost went this route…well, not quite this route but the fortified wine route π
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Thanks, Dale! I’ll dash over and read yours.
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Great story. Fortified wine has been the bane of many a wino, too.
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Too true.
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LOVE this story, and not just because a girl saves the whole town. Love the voice and love the entertaining education I got while reading it.
Thanks again for the lovely suggestion. What a beautiful spot!
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Oh, thank you for using it! Isn’t it fun sharing? I’m glad you liked the story. I imagined the man at the back of the wagon telling stories to a group of cocky young boys. π
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Dear Lish,
I propose a toast to clever Beatriz and to the clever story teller. π
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent idea, and excellent outcome (mm, port)! Nice job showing the backstory; I enjoyed the voice of the narrator.
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Great imagining of an important piece of history. I loved your narrative structure, with the old man talking to a rather rowdy and disrespectful audience! That made the story come alive for me.
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Oh, I’m so glad, Penny. Thank you.
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Port is the port of call many of us went to I think. Beatriz is a clever girl ifvshe did think of it, but I too am skeptical. π
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“Oh, ye of little faith,” as my mother would say. Of course, she did!!! Thanks for reading and commenting. π
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Brandy plus wine, is like a double barrelled gun. Does it work?
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Yes! It truly is called Port and was made the way I described. Thanks.
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Did not know. Thank you for educating me.
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My pleasure!
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Love the voice for this, that old person sharing tall tales from the past – very good. And I love the idea of the lone girl who saved an entire town through her enterprising spirit! Beautifully written as always
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Thanks, Lynn. You are always so kind. Glad you stopped by. Lish
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My total pleasure π
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Great voice, and a wonderful story. I think this must be the true story of the beginnings of port, given to you by your muse/ revealed in a dream π
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It is the way Port came about – perhaps our Beatriz didn’t come up with the idea, but why not? Thanks.
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