Rustic and romantic, the wine regions, centered in Douro and Alentejo, offer many of the same food and wine experiences as Italy without the attendant prices and crazy summer crowds. In Douro, against a backdrop of terraced vineyards and a meandering river course, established vines normally associated with port production are making meaty, earthy red wines. Alentejo is home to undiscovered hilltop villages, artisanal foods and boutique wineries only a forty-five minutes drive from Lisbon. Forests of eucalyptus, cork and olive groves give way to medieval towns that house wonderful boutique hotels.