The Algarve is a wine region that is probably unknown to many of us, but curiously it is on the rise and has always had a tradition of a large percentage of the wines produced there being consumed in the region.
Anyone who has visited the Algarve will know that every restaurant offers a wide range of wines from the region, with very versatile characteristics, from the more gastronomic wines that perfectly accompany the local cuisine, to the lighter wines that are perfect for drinking on the hot days that characterise the region.
Wine production in the Algarve currently stands at 2 million litres and is growing, as a result of some new projects, local cooperative wineries (Adega Cooperativa do Algarve and Adega Cooperativa da Lagoa) and also the entry of major operators such as Casa Santos Lima with the Al-Ria brand and Aveleda with the Villa Alvor brand.
In addition to the grape varieties that are common to almost all of Portugal's regions and some foreign varieties, there are two grape varieties that represent the identity of Algarve wines: Negra Mole for reds and rosés, and Crato Branco for whites.
The Negra Mole grape produces light wines with little colour, so when blended with Crato Branco you can produce a white wine, a rosé wine, a clarete red or a palhete red. It's a very versatile grape variety that's worth experimenting with.
We've recently added some wines and producers that we recommend, namely Quinta da Pedragosa, the arrival of Pedro Ribeiro and Catarina Vieira from Herdade do Rocim (Alentejo) in the region, the Convento do Paraíso brand from Quinta de Mata Mouros, the Morgado da Serra de Monchique brand produced by Abegoaria (Vidigal wines), Morgado do Quintão in the Lagoa area, and of course the wines from Adega Cooperativa da Lagoa under the Megafone and Porches brands.
There's now plenty on offer and we've selected some of the new wines in shop, as well as the highly recommended ones from the region's two native grape varieties.
